Pharmstar takes after her sister

MIAMI - Pharmstar followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Valid Forbes, by registering an easy 4 3/4-length victory over even-money favorite Blissful Kiss in the $75,000 Desert Vixen Stakes at Calder on Saturday.

Valid Forbes won the 2000 edition of the six-furlong Desert Vixen, opening leg of the filly division of the Florida Stallion Series.

Pharmstar disputed the early pace with Blissful Kiss, could not keep pace around the turn, then swung outside and readily ran down Blissful Kiss leaving the eighth pole to win going away. Blissful Kiss was easily second best, finishing five lengths in front of Be Silver.

Pharmstar ($5.40) covered six furlongs in 1:12.79 under Cornelio Velasquez. Her final time was faster than the boys posted in either division of the Dr. Fager Stakes.

"She came down with tender shins earlier in the week, but I thought we could hold her together and win this one," said trainer Ralph Ziadie by phone from Vancouver, where he was waiting to board a cruise ship for Alaska. "We'll see how the shins are doing in about a week before deciding on whether she'll make the second leg of the series."

The second leg is the Susan's Girl on Sept. 1.

Ziadie had to settle for second money in both splits of the $75,000 Dr. Fager. Carey's Gold led throughout to defeat his Royal Lad in the first division. O'Rocky rallied to catch Concorde's Appeal in the second division.

Carey's Gold, purchased privately by Adam Thompson after winning his only previous start under a $40,000 claiming tag on July 16, set a lively pace, held off a bid from Royal Lad in early stretch before edging off to a two- length triumph. Bog Hunter finished third. Barnacle Steve, the 3-2 favorite, was bumped at the break and did not beat a horse.

"I ran him 4 1/2 furlongs in his first start as a prep for this race. It was like a workout. I wasn't afraid anybody would claim him," said trainer Henry Collazo, who kept the horse in his barn after Thompson purchased the colt from his previous owner, Carey LeJeune.

Carey's Gold ($10.60) was ridden to victory by Roger Velez. His final time for six furlongs was 1:13.56.

O'Rocky prompted the pace then wore down Concorde's Appeal before drawing off to a

2 3/4-length decision in the second division of the Dr. Fager. Concorde's Appeal finished nearly five lengths clear of Valid Action, who rallied mildly to be third.

Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. for Bea Oxenberg, O'Rocky ($22.40) ran six furlongs in 1:13.48.

"The first time he ran he was green and bled a bit," said Plesa. "He improved with the combination of blinkers and Lasix."

O'Rocky has now won three of his last four starts and will be pointed for the $125,000 Affirmed Stakes, along with Carey's Gold, on Sept. 1.