TORONTO, April 7 – Biofuel, co-winner of the 2009 Sovereign Award as Canada’s champion two-year-old filly, shoots for victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Star Shoot Stakes, at Woodbine.

The Star Shoot represents the daughter of Stormin Fever’s first race since her strong showing in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last November.

Sent off at 20-1, Biofuel, under Eurico Rosa da Silva, made a stirring stretch run, only to be bumped hard in mid-stretch, leaving her fourth at the wire, just 1 ½ lengths behind She Be Wild.

Ironically, the horse that bumped Biofuel was Negligee, who shared the two-year-old Sovereign honour.

“At the half-mile pole, I thought there was no way she could lose,”

said conditioner Reade Baker, of the 1 1/16-mile event on the Santa Anita Polytrack. “Eurico waited for the right time to get her underway, he got her to the outside and she was flying. Everything was falling into place. Then she got banged sideways. I guess you could say she was cross-checked.”

The Kentucky-bred came into the Breeders’ Cup off a brilliant performance in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes at Woodbine on October 10, also a 1 1/16-mile ‘Poly’ race.

Eighth at the half, Biofuel then swept by her rivals en route to a convincing 4 ½-length score at 23-1, to notch her second win and first added-money tally.

Now, the lifetime winner of two races from five starts will launch her 2010 campaign in the six-furlong Star Shoot. While it isn’t her preferred distance, Biofuel broke her maiden at six panels in her career bow last July.

“It’s not her game,” offered Baker, who is aiming Biofuel towards the La Lorgnette Stakes on May 23 at Woodbine. “But she’s in great shape coming into the race. She wintered at Palm Meadows in Florida. It took her a little longer to get going after what happened in the Breeders’ Cup, but she’s worked well and she’s really sharp.”

Baker has high hopes for the bay that is bred and owned by Brereton Jones.

“She always tries,” said Baker. “As for her best quality, it’s that she’s easy to be around. All the good ones I’ve had in my career, they are just like that.”

The Star Shoot is race six on Saturday’s programme. First post is 1:00 p.m.

FIELD FOR THE STAR SHOOT

Post / Horse / Jockey / Trainer

1 / Tee Game / Slade Callaghan / Mike Doyle

2 / Biofuel / Eurico Rosa da Silva / Reade Baker

3 / Wild Forest Cat / Luis Contreras / Steve Asmussen

4 / Bodua / Jim McAleney / Mike Doyle

5 / Sharp Secretary / Emma-Jayne Wilson / Lorne Richards

 

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