Fourth Straight Win for Colstar

Colstar won her fourth consecutive race for trainer Paul Fout Saturday, winning the $165,000 Locust Grove Handicap (gr. IIIT) by 3 1/2 lengths over Pricearose. Over a firm Churchill Downs turf course, Colstar completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.44.

As Pricearose set the pace while pressured by Stars Games, Colstar stalked that pair from third. Favorite Silver Comic was fourth early but dropped back on the backstretch. As they straightened for home, Pricearose continued to lead with Colstar three wide and closing under jockey Alberto Delgado. Colstar took the lead with a furlong to run, and increased her lead to the wire.

"When I saw those two horses (Pricearose and Stars Games) going out to the lead I thought this is beautiful. I just sat back and waited. I expected the one (Pricearose) to be out on her own, but when the other horse went with her it did my job for me."

Pricearose held well to finish second, a nose in front of Histoire Sainte. Stars Games faded to fourth, followed by Mumtaz and Silver Comic.

Colstar, the fourth choice in the wagering, returned $11, $6.20, and $3.60 and led an exacta worth $90.60.

Colstar (Opening Verse--Ascend, Risen Star) closed her sophomore season with a win in the Martha Washington Stakes (gr. IIIT). She continued her winning streak as a 4-year-old with a Pimlico allowance win and a 2 1/2-length triumph in the Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT) over Pimlico turf listed as good. The win improves her career mark to seven wins from 10 starts. Colstar, a Beverly Steinman homebred, earned $102,300 for the win. (Chart, Equibase)