Star Over the Bay wins Clement Hirsch

ARCADIA, Calif. - Stretching his winning streak in major stakes to 3, Star Over the Bay pulled a mild upset in Sunday's $250,000 at Santa Anita.

The race was marred by an injury to 7-5 favorite Bayamo, who was pulled up on the final turn with a pulled suspensory.

Star Over the Bay's victory was enough for trainer Mike Mitchell to plan for a start in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30.

"I said, 'He'd go if he won,'" Mitchell said. "He wasn't eligible as far as I was concerned unless he won the race. I'm excited about it now. It will be fun."

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Star Over the Bay led by as many as eight lengths in the first six furlongs. His lead dwindled quickly by the final turn when The Tin Man and Ballingarry moved to within two lengths. Those stalkers could not get any closer. Star Over the Bay held a two-length advantage at the eighth pole and was fully extended to hold off a late run from Sarafan, who was fifth early

Star Over the Bay ($11.80) finished 1 1-4 miles on turf in 1:58.70, winning by three-quarters of a length over Sarafan. Vangelis finished third in the field of seven.

Star Over the Bay, 6, was claimed for $80,000 by Carl Van Burger, Landon Vaughn, and 65-member G Racing partnership in May. During the summer, he won the Sunset and Del Mar handicaps. More than 100 members of the partnership and their friends were in the winner's circle.

Trainer Julio Canani said that Bayamo's injury was not life-threatening. "He will not race again," Canani said.