Romping debut winner Alecka Star returns in allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Alecka Star entered the second month of her 4-year-old campaign with only one start on her résumé. But what a start it was – a 14 1/2-length victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight dash here in September.

Alecka Star will finally make her much-anticipated second start in Friday’s $54,000 main event, a first-level allowance for Florida-bred fillies and mares at six furlongs. The race conditions include an optional-claiming price of $12,500.

Alecka Star is giving away plenty of experience, and she will try to make up for that with her abundant speed. A homebred daughter of Majesticperfection, Alecka Star set a lively pace in her debut and extended her advantage seemingly with every stride in the stretch run.

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Michael Yates, who trains Alecka Star for owner Maria Montez Haire, said he did not get the filly into his barn until “about two months before her first start,” so he does not know what delayed her racing career. But he can cite a couple of reasons why she needed a lengthy break following such a promising maiden-winning performance.

“I was looking for a spot to run her back in about 30 to 40 days after she won, but she bruised a foot and I had to give her some time after that,” Yates recalled. “Then she got sick on us, so I had to give her a little more time to get over that. But she’s doing well now, and I’m looking forward to finally be able to run her again on Friday.”

Yates said he wasn’t surprised Alecka Star won at first asking, although naturally he didn’t expect to see her run off the screen like she did.

“She’s got a lot of speed and a lot of raw talent,” Yates said. “There’s no doubt about that. I’m still not certain whether she’ll rate or what her optimum distance is. Drawing the rail, like she did Friday, I can’t imagine she won’t be on the lead again, assuming she breaks okay. I’m just hopeful the road will get smoother for her as we move forward.”

Five of Alecka Star’s rivals will enter the main event with at least three victories, led by Domineer, a six-time winner who captured this same condition going 5 1/2 furlongs here Jan. 14. Domineer returned quick dividends with that victory, having been claimed for a bargain $6,250 by trainer Jose D’Angelo out of her previous start two months earlier.

Kozy Dreams, Foxy Lady, and American of Course, who finished second, third, and fourth behind Domineer on Jan. 14, also will renew acquaintances. American of Course is looking to make amends for a disappointing effort that day as the even-money favorite.