It would be an understatement to say that the $175,000 Quick Call Stakes (G3T) was a battle of the sexes.
It’s more like a gender imbalance.
Godolphin’s superb 3 year old sprint mare Mysterious Star who is ranked number one against older stallions in the United States and Dubai, had no trouble handling 3-year-old stallions as she took control in the straight and won easily by 1 1/2 lengths in the 5 1/2 furlong Quick Call on July 14 at Saratoga Race Track.
“She’s small but very strong,” said Chris Connett, assistant to coach Charlie Appleby.
That toughness was shown when Appleby stepped in to marry the purebred daughter of Kodiac on 30 March in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1T) at Meydan racecourse in Dubai against older stallions and she finished second by a little less than a length.
Just over two months later, the Grade 2 winner made his US debut, again facing older stallions in the Jaipur Stakes (G1T) on June 8 at Spa, finishing third behind the North American record of Cogburn in the 5 1/2 furlong grass sprint.
After those two outings, facing 3-year-old stallions became a considerably easier task for the half-sister of two Grade 1 winners.
“Her form in Dubai was really strong. She ran quite close on World Cup night (in Al Quoz) and that gives you confidence coming here and she ran really well,” said Connett. “Obviously the winning horse broke the track record (in Jaipur) but that shows she’s in the class. Hopefully the drop in class today will give her more confidence.”
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) November 2, five furlongs at Del Marseems like a realistic goal for her daughter. Shamardal The mare Mistrusting (IRE) as rider Flavien Prat said a distance of five to six furlongs would be within her capabilities.
No Mets Today set a brisk early pace of :21.16 as Prat held Star of Mystery in fifth before unleashing a four-way move on the turn. As the No Nay Mets faded into last place of the seven, Gary Barber and Team Valor International Mansa Musa moved ahead on the straight but was unable to counter the 3-5 rated contender who took the lead in eighth place.
Star of Mystery ($3.30) was timed in 1:00.97 on a field rated as firm and won for the fifth time in 11 career starts.
“When I pushed her away, she kicked me hard. That kick was strong enough today,” Prat said.
Mansa Musa, son of Ten Kings Trained by Bill Mott, over 2 1/4 lengths out of Stonestreet Stables Fan Community One Display The colt finished sixth in trainer Brad Cox’s race.
Star of Mystery is the fifth of seven foals by Mistrusting and is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Althiqa and Mysterious Night All five of her foals have been winners. She also has two foals Dubai a 2 year old horse and a foal born in 2024.
