Grade Three Win for Fupeg Colt

Promising colt International Star (3c Fusaichi Pegasus x Parlez, by French Deputy) upped the ante with a dominant win in the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Saturday. Trained by Michael Maker, International Star won the Grade III Grey Stakes at Woodbine last year and ran up to that form when cruising home to win this 1m 70yd contest by two and a half lengths. “We expected a big race--maybe not that big--but he was coming into the race great,” said Michael Maker. “We'll bring him back to Florida and take a hard look at the [Feb. 21 GII] Risen Star." An $85,000 Fasig-Tipton yearling purchase, International Star runs for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and is a half-brother to stakes-winners Fools in Love and DC Dancer being one of five winners from Parlez. He has the overall record of three wins and two seconds from seven starts with prizemoney of $320,979.