Movie Star Aims for Happy Ending in Mile

After winning her U.S. debut at the Meadowlands on Sept. 30, Movie Star has been something of a money burner.

The 5-year-old Royal Academy mare has been beaten twice as the favorite in three starts in Kentucky and California for owner T N T Stud and trainer Bobby Frankel. She was only 4-1 in her other defeat.

Bred in Brazil by her owner, Movie Star will almost certainly be favored again today when she takes on nine other fillies and mares in the seventh race at Santa Anita.

Second to Ticker Tape in the mile Tuzla as the even-money choice on Jan. 26, Movie Star, who won two of five in Brazil before coming to the U.S., will try the same distance again today in the $63,000 optional claimer on the turf.

Garrett Gomez, who has been aboard for her two races in California, has the call again this afternoon. Movie Star has a win and three seconds in five races at one mile on the grass.

Other contenders in the field are Madour and Heavenly Ramson, who has won three of four on the turf and is stretching out for trainer Richard Mandella after finishing third in her 2006 sprint debut on Feb. 15.

Race of the day: Reigning Court, who disappointed as the even-money favorite in his first race of 2006 on Jan. 27, will try to rebound for trainer Steve Asmussen in the ninth race today at Gulfstream Park. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the 3-year-old Glitterman gelding for owners Brenda and Philip Robertson in the $33,000 allowance at six furlongs. Reigning Court won his lone start as a 2-year-old by three lengths on Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs.

One for the road: Judd should take a big step forward in the 10th race today at Gulfstream in his first start since Oct. 27 at Belmont Park and first for high-percentage trainer Peter Walder.

John Velazquez, Walder’s main rider, will be aboard the 3-year-old Kissin Kris colt in the $45,000 maiden claimer at one mile. Judd will run without the blinkers he wore when fifth in his debut last fall for owner Eric Fein.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Social Satire, Red State and Moki Bowl in the fifth, Alluring Bel, Helmsgold and Camelita in the sixth, Movie Star, Madour and Berbatim in the seventh and Spoiler in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 5/166. Money: (previous day/meet total): $29/$1,002. Total money bet: $966.