Star Nicholas Shines in the On Trust Handicap

By Profitus Maximus
December 15, 2008

Star Nicholas got first run on Partywithlarryz and ran down Dancing with Silks nearing the sixteenth pole to take the $77,275 On Trust Handicap at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

Partywithlarryz who placed second trailed the field in the first quarter but apparently wanted to be a bit more forwardly placed. It appeared that Rafael Bejarano was holding him back to avoid getting stuck in behind pacesetters Dancing in Silks and Lit’sgoodlookngray down at the rail.

As the field passed the three-sixteenths pole at the top of the stretch, Star Nicholas beat Partywithlarryz to the path they both wanted, causing Partywithlarryz to be sandwiched in tight between Star Nicholas and the rear of Lit’sgoodlookngray. Meanwhile Star Nicholas had the room and the momentum and he collared Dancing with Silks nearing the sixteenth pole. Bejarano shifted Partywithlarryz out a couple paths to get in the clear and made a nice run to get up for second.

Dancing in Silks had no excuse after setting a leisurely 23.24 second first quarter. He held on well beaten only a length but could not finish better than third.

Star Nicholas survived a stewards inquiry and the original finish was made official.

Star Nicholas was made the second choice behind favorite Dancing in Silks and paid $7.60 on a $2 win wager. The final time was 127.46.