Yerevan Star best in Camilla Urso Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. - Yerevan Star ($4.80) sat outside a pair of runners through a hot early pace duel and pulled away in the lane as she easily captured the $58,712 Camilla Urso Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.

"That's what we've been waiting for her to do, relax early," winning trainer Gloria Haley said of Yerevan Star's trip.

Princess Lianna and Storminbayoubabe, both trained by Steve Specht, alternated on the lead through the opening half-mile in the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares.

Joe Castro let Yerevan Star run as the field headed for home, and she quickly opened on both rivals. She dominated through the lane, beating another Specht trainee, Our Mango, by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:09.16.

"I know we were going through some pretty hot fractions, but she was just sitting there," Castro said. "She really relaxed and showed her best at the top of the lane."

The 4-year-old homebred won the Fairfield in her third career start last summer at Solano. She now has won four of 10 starts. The $30,250 she earned lifted her career earnings to $111,918.