Highway Star reeled in favored Carina Mia in the shadow of the wire to post a head victory in the G2 Gallant Bloom Stakes at Belmont Park September 24.
It was the fourth Graded Stakes win for the four-year-old daughter of Girolamo, who also boasts wins in the G2 Ruffian, G3 Distaff Handicap and G3 Go For Wand Stakes.
Settled just off the pace through the early stages of the race, Highway Star began to close on the leaders on the far turn. As the field entered the homestretch, jockey Luis Saez swung Highway Star out into the clear and they set their sights on leader Carina Mia. Highway Star continued to close strongly with every stride, eventually overhauling her rival nearing the wire to earn the victory.
Racing as a homebred for Chester and Mary Broman Sr., Highway Star is out of Stolen Star, a multiple Stakes-placed daughter of Cat Thief. Stolen Star is out of the Stakes-placed mare Unbridled Star, and is a half-sister to the multiple Stakes-winners Friend Or Foe and Star Grazing.
Girolamo now has sired 69 winners to date. In addition to Highway Star, Girolamo’s other talented performers include G1-placed She’s All Ready and Stakes winners Louisville First, Libreta, and Crawdaddy.
