Santa Anita: All Star Heart finishes fast to capture Las Palmas

ARCADIA, Calif.- Displaying the late rally that has defined her season, All Star Heart won her first graded stakes in Sunday’s $150,000 Las Palmas Handicap at Santa Anita.

Closing from last in a field of five fillies and mares, All Star Heart ($7.20) won the Grade 2 Las Palmas by two lengths over City to City. Sarah’s Secret was third in the field of five, followed by 7-5 favorite Malibu Pier and Ash Zee. Anniversary Girl, Private Affair and Turning Top were scratched earlier on Sunday.

Ridden by Brice Blanc, All Star Heart ran a mile on turf in 1:35.74. All Star Heart trailed pacesetter Ash Zee by 2 1/2 lengths with a quarter-mile remaining, a deficit that was quickly erased.

“She did what I wanted her to do at the top of the lane,” Blanc said. “Coming off the turn, I knew she’d finish up really nice.”

Owned by breeder Gerald Gibbs, All Star Heart is trained by Ron McAnally. A 4-year-old filly by Arch, All Star Heart has won 5 of 15 starts and $261,705.

All Star Heart has won 5 of 7 starts this year, but one of the losses occurred in an allowance race here in February when she slipped and fell on the final turn of the turf course. All Star Heart did not start again until July, returning to win an allowance race at Hollywood Park.

Last month, All Star Heart won her first stakes in the restricted Swingtime Stakes at Santa Anita.