Star of Mystery Gets the Nod in Galway Stakes

The Godolphin blue looms large in Saturday’s $150,000 Galway S. on the Saratoga turf with #5 Star of Mystery. Thirteen talented three-year-old fillies are entered for the 5 1/2-furlong heat on the lawn, but I think that it all goes through the Charlie Appleby trainee. 

Galway Wagers

• $30 exacta 5 with 3 ($30)
  $2 trifecta 5 with 3,8 with all ($28)

By Kodiac, the homebred has compiled an 11-5-4-1 mark in her lifetime and exuded plenty of class early on. The bay has also left a nice impression from a pair of runs since arriving in the U.S. as of late. 

She rallied well to third behind Cogburn in the Jaipur S. (G1) on June 8, and I find that even being in a race with older males as a sophomore filly was a massive sign of the confidence that her connections have in her. She appeared in the Quick Call S. (G3) against fellow sophomore ladies on July 14 and displayed a fine turn of foot to win the race in going-away fashion. 

Star of Mystery is in a potentially softer spot against this group, and I expect her to cruise by her foes in the lane once again. The race has a lot of speed with a quick early tempo expected, and that will suit the late runner just fine. Flavien Prat retains the ride, and the filly looks like a single to close out the card to me. 

I won’t give up on #3 Pipsy and will give her a pass for a subpar effort in the Tepin S. at Churchill Downs most recently. 

Trained by William Walden, the bay was on top early in that route affair before giving way readily prior to the turn for home. I like that she returns to sprinting on this occasion. 

Also by Kodiac, this filly was very impressive when going last-to-first in the Soaring Softly S. (G3) in her U.S. debut in May. I feel that she will deliver a big run if she reverts to that running style in this heat. Irad Ortiz Jr. picking up the mount is a big positive, too. 

I’m not in love with the chances of #8 Kairyu upsetting the field, but the Cherie DeVaux trainee has improved with each start in the States and is a logical exotics contender. 

This Irish-bred bay has checked in second in both the Soaring Softly (G3) and Coronation Cup S. leading up to this endeavor, and a forward move will have her challenging for another runner-up placement with Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups.