​Street Fancy upsets Starlet

Dec 13, 2015 by Jennifer Caldwell

Pretty N Cool looked ready for a return to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s $301,000 Starlet S. (G1) at Los Alamitos but the pacesetting filly faltered in midstretch, leaving the way clear for Street Fancy to come running up the rail for the victory.

Pretty N Cool entered the Starlet already boasting a pair of Grade 2 wins courtesy of the Sorrento S. at Del Mar and Matron S. at Belmont Park, and was sent off the 7-2 third choice. The Bob Baffert trainee drew the far outside post 9 and gunned it to get to the front when the gates opened.

Crossing over in front of everyone but Treasuring, Pretty N Cool settled into stride through splits of :22.84, :46.73 and 1:11.26 down the backstretch. Stays in Vegas was biding her time just outside of the leader while Treasuring saved ground down on the rail.

Street Fancy, meanwhile, had taken up position near the rear of the field after being forced to steady right after the break while in tight between rivals. She saved ground on the inside and began her move passing the quarter mark.

Pretty N Cool managed to retain the advantage rounding the turn and heading into the lane, but the pace suddenly fell apart and Street Fancy came flying up the rail. The Philip D’Amato-trained juvenile grabbed command and proved best by a length over 7-2 second favorite Stays in Vegas.

Street Fancy was herself sent off at 6-1 and paid $14.60 for finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.42 over the fast main track. Mike Smith piloted the Agave Racing Stable colorbearer to a debut maiden win on October 18 at Santa Anita Park and a closed half-length third in the Desi Arnaz S. last out on November 15 at Del Mar. The Hall of Fame rider was in the saddle once again as Street Fancy earned her first stakes score in stellar fashion.

Bred in Kentucky by Hunter Valley Farm, Street Fancy is now 3-2-0-1, $223,200 in her short career.

Stays in Vegas briefly took the lead in the stretch before being passed by Street Fancy nearing the wire. She secured second by three lengths over Sutton’s Smile, who just got up to stick her head in front of Pretty N Cool for third.

As a points race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, the Starlet awarded Street Fancy 10 points toward a starting berth in next May’s Kentucky Oaks (G1). Stays in Vegas took home four points, Sutton’s Smile earned two points and Pretty N Cool garnered one point for fourth.