Zensational Bunny stalks and pounces in Star Shoot

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The Mark Casse-trained Zensational Bunny notched her second stakes victory in the $144,000 Star Shoot on Saturday at Woodbine, giving Patrick Husbands his third winner on the card.

Zensational Bunny stalked the leader Shanagarry, who set honest fractions in the six-furlong sprint. Zensational Bunny hit the front in midstretch and drew clear en route to a 1 3/4-length tally in 1:10.22. A closing Paladin Bay edged out Shanagarry by a neck for second in a field reduced to eight after the scratches of Madly Truly and Wild N Clever.

“She’s a very aggressive filly,” said Husbands. “She left there running, and I just played it by ear. There was speed on the inside of me, but no pressure on the outside. She relaxed down the backside, and when I called on her, she gave me everything.”

Zensational Bunny paid $8.70, and earned $75,000 for owner Gary Barber. The daughter of Zensational was bred by Bob Baffert and Lanni Bloodstock.