Starship Jubilee seeks repeat win in Nassau Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Starship Jubilee will look to win the Grade 2, $175,000 Nassau Stakes for the second year in a row on Sunday when she faces six other fillies and mares in the one-mile turf race at Woodbine.

Starship Jubilee had a productive winter campaign on turf at Gulfstream Park. She made three starts, finishing first, second, and third. Her victory came in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf over 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 20.

“She’s always shown an affinity for that turf course,” trainer Kevin Attard said. “She ran some good races, and we were pleased with the campaign this winter.”

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Following a runner-up finish in the Mary Todd Stakes on Feb. 17, Attard said Starship Jubilee was sent to the farm for a freshening. She returned to Woodbine this month and has recorded three breezes on the dirt training track, including five furlongs in 1:01.00 on Monday.

“We’re trying to gear up for a summer campaign now,” Attard said. “We sent her to the farm for a little break. She’s had a few breezes now here at Woodbine, and hopefully she’s tight enough.”

Key Contenders

Starship Jubilee, by Indy Wind
Last 3 Beyers: 93-92-88

◗ The distance suits Starship Jubilee nicely, as she’s recorded five wins from six starts at a mile.

◗ Eurico Da Silva rides Starship Jubilee, and he led all Woodbine riders with 10 stakes wins on grass last season.

Ghostly Presence, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 76-89-81

◗ Her form improved dramatically following the Wonder Where Stakes last August. In her four subsequent starts, she recorded two wins and two runner-up finishes, including a victory in the Tropical Park Oaks at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 30.

◗ She’ll be making her first start since an 11th-place finish in the South Beach Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 27, but has been working well for this race.

Gianna’s Dream, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 81-83-97

◗ She was a troubled fifth behind Starship Jubilee in the Mary Todd Stakes, stalking along the rail before encountering traffic in the stretch. She draws inside for the Nassau and could find herself in a similar inside stalking position, but should have more room to maneuver with this race scheduled to be run in Lane 1.

Grizzel, by Kodiac
Last 3 Beyers: 88-85-73

◗ She ran twice at a mile this year at Gulfstream Park, finishing second in the Sand Springs Stakes on March 3 and sixth in the Grade 3 Honey Fox Stakes on March 31.

◗ She ran a pair of strong races on the Woodbine turf course last year, including a runner-up finish to Enstone in the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes at this distance Aug. 27.