Sir Five Star dominates

Sir Five Star overtook a trio of battling leaders in the stretch and drew out to an 8 1/2-length win over Irish Dreamer in the $50,000 Mountain Valley Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to The Hitman in third.

Sir Five Star ($27) raced about a length off the pace early in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, as Go Poppa Fooze, The Hitman, and Storm Force contested fractions of 21.20 for the opening quarter and 45.20 for a half-mile. Sir Five Star moved to the leaders on the turn, overtook them in the stretch, and went on to cover the distance over a track rated good in 1:11.60.

Justin Shepherd rode the winner for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Sir Five Star earned $30,000 for the win, his fifth from 12 starts. He has now earned $204,870. Sir Five Star is a son of Five Star Day and he races for H. Gus King.

The Mountain Valley was the third stakes win for Sir Five Star, who also won the $136,000 Riley Allison Futurity at Sunland Park on Dec. 31, and the $50,000 Clever Trevor at Remington Park in September.