Mystical Star shines in New York Stakes
Mystical Star, under jockey Jose Lezcano, took over the lead midway through the running of the 1 1/4 mile Grade II New York Stakes and held off all of her challengers in the stretch. The Christophe Clement trainee, sent off at 9-2, held off the late rally of Aruna, who closed well for second from the back of the pack. Hit It Rich, just off the pace throughout, kept on strongly for third.
Christophe Clement, winning trainer of Mystical Star: “She broke well, and we told the jock to put her wherever she was comfortable. She’s obviously a top-class filly, and provided she comes out of the race well we’ll have to think about the Beverly D [Grade 1, August 18, Arlington Park]. She was very nice last year, but then her form went down. She was not quite as sound, so we gave her time and came back with her. She came back better than ever.”
Jose Lezcano, winning jockey aboard Mystical Star: “Last time, she broke the gate, and was 20 lengths behind. Today, she broke well and I just let her get comfortable. In the stretch, she gave me everything she had.”
