Theatre Star, Fasnacloich take divisions of Justakiss

Theatre Star, back on the East Coast of the United States for the first time in more than 15 months, snapped a seven-racing losing streak by scoring in the second division of the $50,000 Justakiss Stakes at Delaware Park on Wednesday.

A 5-year-old mare trained by Tom Proctor for Glen Hill Farm, Theatre Star ($6.80), the second choice in a field of 10 fillies and mares following three scratches, chased early pacesetter Lily Carstairs in second for most of the first six furlongs, run in 1:13.15. Brian Pedroza, aboard for the first time, asked Theatre Star for her best run and she took a short lead into the stretch and drew clear to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths. Latique edged 2-1 slight favorite Lady of Gold for second by a neck.

The winning time for 1 1/16 miles on a turf course upgraded from soft to good was 1:44.70.

Theatre Star had won four in a row, a streak that began at Aqueduct and Gulfstream, before she was sent to California. She won her first start out west and finished second three other times, including a neck loss in her most recent start in the Golden Poppy at Golden Gate Fields last month. Overall, she has won 5 of 13 starts and $192,921.

In the first division, Maryland shipper Fasnacloich was much the best under Julian Pimentel, drawing off to a 6 1/2-length victory.

A 5-year-old mare trained by Hamilton Smith for Jerry Romans Jr. and Luc Paiement, Fasnacloich ($14) was making her third start of the season and dropping in class from the Grade 3 Galorette at Pimlico last month. She was sixth after the first six furlongs in 1:13.28, but rallied during a four-wide bid on the final turn, moved in front by a length with a furlong remaining, and increased her advantage to the wire. She completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.85.

In winning for the sixth time in 18 starts, Fasnacloich snapped a six-race winless streak. She won her only previous start over Delaware’s turf in a starter allowance two years ago.

Chat, trained by Jonathan Sheppard, finished second, two lengths in front of the Graham Motion-trained Joy. Interrupted never challenged in finishing sixth as the 5-2 favorite.