Star Gala Wins 2-YO Filly Sprint at Tampa

Star Gala beat Lu Lu Laura by 1 3/4 lengths  in Wednesday's feature race at Tampa Bay Downs.

The race was six furlongs on dirt for 2-year-old fillies, with a $22,500 purse and a $75,000 optional claiming  price. 

Star Gala took the  lead from J's Indian Charm coming around the turn and held off a late bid by Lu Lu Laura.

Edwin Gonzalez rode Lu Lu Laura and had two other winners on the ten-race card.

Star Gala won in 1:12.28 on the track listed as fast. The time was relatively slow, considering that seven of the ten runners had run in stakes races.

For example, Star Gala finished fourth and Lu Lu Laura finished fifth in the six-furlong Sandpiper at Tampa Bay on Dec. 3.
 
Lu Lu Laura has become known for early speed. But on Wednesday she was bumped shortly after the start and thus forced to race from farther back than in previous races.

Star Gala was 12-1 and Lu Lu Laura was the 9-5 favorite.

The 78-1 shot Neuqua rallied to come in third, 4  1/4 lengths behind Lu Lu  Laura. J's Indian Charm held on to finish fourth.

Payoffs are listed below. 

Star Gala won for the second time in eight starts. She also has two second place and two third place finishes.

Ian Hemingway trains Star Gala for her breeders/owners Joseph and Helen Barbazon.

Star Gala is a Florida-bred daughter of Wildcat Heir.

5 -STAR GALA                26.40   8.20   5.20
9 -LU LU LAURA                       3.20   3.00
8 -NEUQUA                                           15.40
$2 EXACTA 5-9  PAID $97.60; $1 TRIFECTA 5-9-8 PAID $2,210.70; $1 SUPERFECTA 5-9-8-3  PAID $22,932.30