Ayra Stark and Ballado's Beach to Share the Gate at Colonial Downs

The two Argentine-bred mares trained by Ignacio Correas IV will contest Saturday’s eighth race, a $72,000 allowance over 1 3/16 miles on the turf

Ayra Stark winning at Palermo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

NEW KENT, Virginia (Special for Turf Diario).- One is just beginning her journey on U.S. soil; the other is nearing the end of her career before heading to the breeding shed. The first is Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger), the second Ballado’s Beach (Treasure Beach), and they not only share the care of Ignacio Correas IV, but will also break from the same gate at Colonial Downs next Saturday.

They’ll meet in the eighth race, a $72,000 allowance at 1 3/16 miles on turf, which drew eight entries under certain restrictions.

Owned by Haymarket Farm LLC and with Vincent Cheminaud aboard, Ayra Stark will make her third U.S. start after a dull debut on the dirt at Churchill Downs and a much-improved effort next out when third in a similar Colonial Downs spot. Bred by Haras Juan Antonio, she will break from post six and is listed as a danger on the morning line.

For her part, Ballado’s Beach, owned by J and J Stables and to be ridden by Jorge Ruiz Díaz, is 6-1 on the morning line, breaks from post eight, and has made three starts in the North, her best being a fifth-place finish in Gulfstream Park’s Via Borghese S. (L). The 2024 G1 Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena heroine at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo—bred by Haras El Gusy—will be making her first start since Mar. 14, and perhaps her last, as she is confirmed in foal to Life Is Good.

The morning-line favorite is the French-bred Bottle Rocket (Roman Candle), to be piloted by Paco López for trainer Michael Trombetta. A winner of three condition races in a consistent career, she exits a third-place finish in a similar Colonial Downs turf test.

Also well regarded are Le Touche (Authentic), a two-time winner at Gulfstream Park, and Stella Mars (Point of Entry), who comes off a victory in a starter optional claimer at Laurel Park.

Rounding out the compact field are Sleepwalker (Tapwrit), Cainudothetwist (Americain), and Ballroom Eyes (Oxbow).