Six years after finishing second in the Southern Belle Stakes at Grants Pass Downs in Oregon, Chocolate Starr tried again in this year's edition June 15 and scored a determined win, earning her first stakes victory at age 10.
The oldest member of the six-horse field, Chocolate Starr was tenacious in disputing the early pace in the five-furlong event for fillies and mares and wrested command to lead by a length with a quarter-mile remaining. Showing no signs of yielding to her younger opponents, the dark bay or brown mare dug in to repel a late challenge and won by three-quarters length as the 3-1 second choice.
With Kassie Gugliemino at the reins for trainer Mary Boyle, Chocolate Starr covered the distance in 1:00.47. She has placed in 31 races, winning 16 times, finishing second seven times and third on eight occasions from 52 career starts. The $1,595 winner's share of the $2,900 Southern Belle purse boosted her lifetime bankroll to $41,703.
Bred in Washington by Brad Shawhan, Chocolate Starr is by The Deputy out of 16-time winner Savanaha, by Moment of Hope. She was an $8,000 purchase by Darrin Paul at the 2005 Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association summer yearling sale, where she was consigned by Leckbee Thoroughbred Farm, agent for Tarton Thoroughbred Farm.
Paul campaigned Chocolate Starr through her first nine starts, including her well-beaten second as a 4-year-old in the 2008 Southern Belle, before she was acquired later that season by current owner Glory B Stables.
