Derwin's Star seized the lead on the turn for home and cruised to her first stakes victory by 4 3/4 lengths in the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks on the night of Sept. 18 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia (VIDEO).
Puglisi Racing's 3-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Wildcat Heir--Powerful Package, by Star de Naskra, was ridden to victory by Kendrick Carmouche for trainer Steve Klesaris.
Fourth early while racing near the lead in the seven-furlong main track test, Derwin's Star advanced midway on the turn three wide and swept past pacesetter Down Town Allen to quickly open up a commanding lead in upper stretch. She maintained her advantage through the lane under steady urging from Carmouche, finishing up in a good time of 1:24.64 on a fast track.
Bronx City Girl, ridden by Elvis Trujillo, made steady progress from the back of the pack to also challenge on the turn but faltered in the stretch while nipping C C's Pal and Eibar Coa for second by a neck. Even-money choice Belle of the Hall was in striking distance for Ramon Dominguez for a half-mile but tired to finish last in the nine-horse field.
Down Town Allen carved quarter-mile fractions of :23.17 and :46.67 before fading to fifth.
Derwin's Star rebounded from a seventh-place finish in the Duchess Stakes over Polytrack at Woodbine Aug. 7 to post her fifth lifetime win in 11 races. She earned $232,800 for the victory, boosting her career total to $372,570.
Earlier this year, Derwin's Star finished third behind divisional leader Blind Luck after setting the pace in the Delaware Oaks (gr. II), and she was also second in the Jostle Stakes at Philadelphia Park.
Woodsfield Farm bred the winning chestnut filly, a $15,000 purchase in the Keeneland Association's 2007 November Breeding Stock Sale.
Sent off as the third choice, Derwin's Star paid $11.40, $6.60 and $5.40 and keyed a $118.80 exacta with the 11-1 shot Bronx City Girl, who returned $13.40 and $9.60. C C's Pal, off at 18-1, was $11 to show and rounded out a $1,382 trifecta. The $2 superfecta, with 21-1 Southern Fireball fourth, was worth $15,124.80.
Richiegirlgonewild was a stewards' scratch.