$135,000 Astral Spa Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, AR. – West Point Thoroughbreds’ Counting Stars found a seam coming out of the turn and pulled away through the stretch to a four-length victory Sunday in Oaklawn’s inaugural running of the $135,000 Astral Spa Overnight Stakes, a six-furlong event for 2-year-old fillies that was restricted to runners that have yet to win an open stakes race.

Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse and ridden by Francisco Arrieta, Counting Stars covered the distance in 1:11.13 and returned $8.60 to win as the 3.30-1 second choice in the nine-horse field. The daughter of Honor A.P. earned $72,900 from her second win in three starts and improved her lifetime earnings to $149,506.

Arkansas-bred Walk Away Kaye closed well to finish second, with Victory Music finishing third. Grace Is Free, Front Runnin, Runadhara, Candy Talking, Debbie Doll, and Carolyncaroline completed the order of finish. Glazin’ Fury was a late scratch after rearing in the gate to unseat jockey Luis Saez.

Oaklawn’s Holiday season continues Friday with another 10-race card beginning at 12:30 p.m.