DEL MAR, Calif. – When Star Act arrived at trainer Art Sherman’s stable at Los Alamitos a few months ago, he thought the filly seemed like a candidate for marathon races on turf. She had been running in races from a mile to 1 1/8 miles, and Sherman thought she could run farther “because of her stride.” Star Act proved Sherman correct when she won an optional claimer at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on July 23 at 20-1. Star Act makes her stakes debut in Friday’s $80,000 CTT and TOC Handicap for fillies and mares over the same course and distance. “She’s doing very well,” Sherman said. “I don’t think she’s reached her potential.” Star Act, who races for owner and breeder George Krikorian, has won 2 of 13 starts and earned $136,370. She was trained by Tom Proctor for her first 12 starts before joining Sherman’s stable. :: Bet the CTT and TOC Handicap with DRF Bets and get FREE access to this article and all of DRF Plus, including Del Mar selections, video, and real-time analysis. KEY CONTENDERS Star Act (Last 3 Beyers: 85-69-72) ◗ Star Act is a closer. In her win July 23, she was eighth of nine on the backstretch and rallied wide to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Circling, another runner in the CTT and TOC Handicap. ◗ Star Act needed 11 races to beat maidens, doing so at Golden Gate Fields in April. ◗ Star Act has won two of her last three starts. “It’s fun to have a grass horse that a can go a route of ground,” Sherman said. “I’m looking forward to it.” Dido (Last 3 Beyers: 87-84-83) ◗ Dido was second in the River Memories Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Belmont Park on July 5 in her most recent start. The River Memories has turned out to be a productive race. The winner, Goldy Espony, returned to win the Waya Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8. Third-place finisher Granny Mc’s Kitten won an optional claimer at Saratoga on Aug. 5. ◗ While Dido was beaten in the River Memories, she showed trainer Graham Motion that she is suited to longer distances. “She was beaten by a decent horse,” Motion said. “She hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s worth a shot.” ◗ Dido has won 3 of 13 starts. All of the wins came in consecutive starts at Tampa Bay Downs and Pimlico from February to May 2014. :: DRF Bets Exotic Summer: Take out the takeout on Friday's pick five at Del Mar Scooter Bird (Last 3 Beyers: 71-85-71) ◗ Scooter Bird won an allowance race at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Santa Anita last October but has lost her last four starts. She was fifth in the Possibly Perfect Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Santa Anita on June 7, her most recent start and her first race since January. ◗ Corey Nakatani has the mount on Friday. He rode Scooter Bird to a win last October. “This is a good distance for her,” trainer John Sadler said. “Nakatani rides her well.” ◗ Sadler said Scooter Bird will be retired to be bred at the end of the year.