Shanghai Starlet outruns Spicy Nelly in Panama City

Shanghai Starlet won the third race of her young career Saturday when she outdueled Spicy Nelly for a neck win in the $75,000 Panama City, which was moved from turf to dirt at Gulfstream Park.

Spicy Nelly was a clear second, finishing 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Starship Bonita.

The Panama City was an overnight stakes for Florida-bred fillies and mares. It was originally scheduled for a mile on turf, but rain forced the race to a main track. The surface was downgraded from fast to good one race prior to the Panama City. Madame Uno, Treasure For Gold, and Unbridled Courage were scratched Saturday.

Shanghai Starlet ($7.40), who was entered for the main track only, was content to track the pace set by Josdesanimaux, who took the field through an opening quarter in 24.22 seconds and a half-mile in 46.96. Shanghai Starlet pulled even with the leader soon afterward, moved to the fore through six furlongs in 1:11.90, and put up a fight in the stretch when Spicy Nelly advanced along the rail. The winner covered the distance on a sealed surface rated good in 1:37.30.

Edgard Zayas, a day removed from guiding Gunnevera to a popular comeback win at Gulfstream, was aboard Shanghai Starlet.

“I had a good outside position,” Zayas told publicity at Gulfstream. “I just tried to stalk the pace and stay in the clear. When I saw the horses on the outside attacking, I made my move. When the horse came up on the rail, she just dug in and kept on fighting.”

Todd Pletcher trains Shanghai Starlet, a 3-year-old daughter of Shanghai Bobby, for King of Prussia Stable. Shanghai Starlet won her third race from six starts, with all her wins coming at Gulfstream. She is from the female family of Grade 1 winner Brass Hat.