A pair of Southern California-based distaffers found Sunland Park’s
traditional dirt surface quite hospitable on Sunday. Gem, Inc.’s HARISSA (Afleet
Alex) rolled to a 3 1/2-length triumph in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks in her
dirt debut, while George Krikorian’s FREEDOM STAR (Street Cry [Ire]) remained
perfect from two dirt starts with a 2 1/4-length decision in the $103,500 Harry
Henson H.
Harissa hounded the pacesetting Hayley’s Halo (Sea of Secrets), who carved
out splits of :23 2/5, :46 3/5 and 1:11 1/5. The pair dueled in earnest from the
far turn until midstretch, when Harissa began to get the upper hand. Once Tyler
Baze got her to switch leads, the David Hofmans pupil cleared away to win in a
final time of 1:42 4/5 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast track. The co-second
choice at 5-2 paid $6.80, $3.60 and $2.60.
Hayley’s Halo had 2 3/4 lengths to spare over 8-5 favorite Queen Greeley (Mr.
Greeley), who was 14 1/2 lengths ahead of fourth-placer Tornado Betty (Comic
Strip). Pyrite on My Mind (Seattle Fitz [Arg]) and Ellafitz (Tiznow) rounded out
the order of finish.
Harissa, who was fourth in the Santa Ysabel S. (G3) in her only previous
stakes attempt, now sports a mark of 7-2-2-1, $174,520. Since that January 10
event, the bay has finished runner-up twice in allowance/optional claiming
company at Santa Anita. Run down late by Cozi Rosie (Pleasantly Perfect) on
February 4, Harissa was most recently a troubled second to Ellafitz on March 4.
Bred by Jeanne Bruce in Kentucky, Harissa brought $95,000 as a Keeneland
September yearling, then failed to reach her reserve when attracting a $195,000
bid as a Barretts Msrch two-year-old. She is out of stakes winner and multiple
Grade 3-placed Dynasty (Time for a Change), and notable family members include
1997 Derby (Eng-G1) hero, Benny the Dip (Silver Hawk).
While Harissa improved with the surface switch, Freedom Star repeated her
front-running performance in the March 6 Azeri S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park last out.
At Sunland, though, the Bob Baffert filly put up faster fractions under more
pressure. After negotiating her opening quarter in :23 3/5 beneath Martin
Garcia, the 1-2 favorite was pressed by Stormy Express (In Excess [Ire]) through
a half in :46 4/5.
Freedom Star disposed of that rival, but was then engaged by Prairie Charm
(Silver Charm) as she posted six furlongs in 1:11. Although Prairie Charm was
still fighting down the stretch, Freedom Star had too much class, striding clear
to complete one mile in 1:35 4/5. The popular winner returned $3, $2.20 and
$2.10.
A game Prairie Charm held second by a neck from Cherryblossommiss (Langfuhr).
A 4 3/4-length gap ensued to Steppin Out Rose (Out of Place) in fourth, followed
by More Accord (More Than Ready), Stormy Express and American Symphony (Exchange
Rate).
Freedom Star’s resume now reads 10-5-0-1, $259,260. The bay opened her
four-year-old campaign with a third-place effort in the January 17 El Encino S.
(G2) and a fifth in the February 14 La Canada S. (G2), both over Santa Anita’s
Pro-Ride.
Bred in Kentucky by Y. Kolybabiuk, Freedom Star sold to Krikorian for
$220,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. She is the first registered foal out
of multiple stakes winner Willie’s Luv (Williamstown). Other stakes winners in
the family include Grade 2 victors Fortnightly (Dance Spell) and Ten Below
(Avatar) as well as Grade/Group 3 scorers American Freedom (Marquetry) and It’s
Freezing (T. V. Commercial).