By Claire Novak
Augustin Stable’s homebred Holiday Star defended his title in the $100,000 Sycamore Stakes (gr. IIIT) Oct. 15, Keeneland’s 1 1/2-mile turf test. Last year trainer Graham Motion sent the bay gelding to victory by a half-length over Red Rifle. This season the half-length win came at the expense of 2-1 favorite Charming Kitten. The final time was 2:33.06 over the firm turf course. St. Albans Boy completed the trifecta. Jockey Edgar Prado gave the 5-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday a perfect ride, stalking third outside Patrioticandproud and Market Outlook before pouncing down the stretch. Coming off a second in the Aug. 26 John’s Call at Saratoga, Holiday Star won for the second time this season. He also took the Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park in July. “Edgar called it right; he didn’t want to be too far off the pace, and he wanted to be a little to the outside,” Motion said. “This horse is remarkably consistent.” BH