Star Devine drops into allowance company; Irad Ortiz Jr. named in four races

ELMONT, N.Y. – Star Devine showed star potential when, after blowing the break, she rallied from last to win her career debut in April at Aqueduct, running six furlongs in 1:07.83.

Though she was beaten in her next start, the Grade 3 Soaring Softly Stakes last month, Star Devine ran a creditable fourth, beaten one length. Thursday, Star Devine drops into a first-level allowance race and attempts to stretch out in distance in the 1 1/16-mile turf feature at Belmont Park. Star Devine is the only 3-year-old in a field of nine fillies and mares.

First post for the Thursday program is 3:05 p.m.

After rallying from last, taking advantage of a fast pace in her debut, Star Devine prompted a quick pace in the seven-furlong Soaring Softly. She took the lead in midstretch, and despite fighting on, she was passed by three rivals including Bye Bye.

Joel Rosario rides Star Devine for trainer Jorge Abreu and owner/breeder Lawrence Goichman.

Candy Flower, claimed by Saffie Joseph Jr. for $35,000 in January at Gulfstream Park, is coming off a third-place finish in this condition May 22, when she prompted the pace, had a clear lead in midstretch, but couldn’t see it out, finishing behind Saratoga Affair and Love and Thunder. Candy Flower has recorded all three of her career victories at this distance, including a win for maiden $40,000 claiming here last September.

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“Last time she ran her best number,” Joseph said. “I just think she lacked that turn of foot. She’s done well since. She goes into the race off two good breezes and hopefully can run well and win.”

Stolen Holiday, a $750,000 daughter of War Front, finished third in her 4-year-old debut. She has been forwardly placed in all three of her starts. In a Sunday workout over the Belmont turf, it appeared trainer Shug McGaughey was attempting to get her comfortable sitting off another horse. However, she started four lengths behind Island Treasure before falling back even further, then finished within two at the wire.

Princess Fawzia finished a neck behind Candy Flower on May 22, receiving a ground-saving trip under John Velazquez before being outfinished. With Velazquez in England this week, the hot-riding Jose Lezcano has the call. Lezcano was aboard for Princess Fawzia’s debut win for maiden $50,000 claiming over this course in September 2019.

Ice Princess, a New York-bred stakes winner on dirt, will be trying turf for the first time. She is by Palace Malice out of an Awesome Again mare, Happy Clapper, who was 1 for 12 on turf and who threw one previous foal who was a six-time winner on grass.

Irad Ortiz Jr. is named to ride Ice Princess. Ortiz, who was unseated during the running of the fifth race on June 3 and who required stitches in his head and arm, is scheduled to ride four mounts on Thursday’s card.