Star Fortress much the best in the Cardinal (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Star Fortress (IRE) dominated Thursday’s 48th running of the $267,500 Cardinal (Grade III) on Thanksgiving Day at Churchill Downs with a 10-length last-to-first romp over favored Saffron Moon.
Star Fortress (IRE), a 4-year-old filly owned by John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Tanya Gunther), ran 1 1/8 miles over “good” turf in 1:51:10 to collect the first stakes win of her career.
Luis Saez rode the winner for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
Breaking from post position two in the field of six fillies and mares, Star Fortress (IRE) settled in last during the early stages as Walkathon set fractions of :23.35, :48.61 and 1:13.90. Full of run while leaving the final turn, Saez tipped Star Fortress (IRE) out to the center of the track and the filly displayed an explosive late kick to collar Saffron Moon and a tiring Walkathon with an eighth of mile to the finish. Her winning margin only widened inside the final stages of the race.
“The plan worked out how we drew it up,” Saez said. “We let the speed go and saved ground. Around the turn we swung out and just really exploded down the stretch.”
The triumph was worth $153,450 and increased her earnings to $175,775. Star Fortress (IRE) boasts a record of 2-1-2 in eight starts.
Star Fortress (IRE) returned mutuels of $14.68, $5.40 and $3.48 as the 6-1 fifth betting choice. Saffron Moon, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, returned $3.60 and $3 as the 9-5 favorite. Third-place finisher Lovely Princess, under Brian Hernandez Jr., was another neck back in third and paid $3.30 to show at odds of 4-1.
The order of finish was completed by Juncture (GB), Walkathon and Joyful Applause. Take a Stand was scratched.
Prior to the Cardinal, Star Fortress (IRE) finished third in a weight-for-age event over 1 ½ miles on turf at Newmarket in July. Her lone win in seven starts in England came in her second outing over Chelmsford City’s all-weather track at 1 ¼ miles on July, 3 2022.
“She was training very well coming into this race and she won very impressively today,” DeVaux said. “We’re not sure where we’ll go next with her. Our plan was to get her to this race and focused on that.”
Star Fortress (IRE), a gray or roan daughter of Sea The Stars (IRE) out of the El Prado (IRE) mare Lady Aquitaine, was bred in Ireland by Sahara Group/Eurowest/Sunderland Hidgs.
