![American Kestrel (Starspangledbanner) Wins Her Maiden At Newbury](https://d3v7caevx73rbm.cloudfront.net/assets/site/_imageLarge/American-Kestrel-wins-her-maiden-at-Newbury-1.jpg)
Starspangledbanner Filly Strikes Gold On Second Start
The Richard Hannon-trained American Kestrel (2f Starspangledbanner - Marsh Hawk, by Invincible Spirit) proved progressive when running out a smart winner at Newbury on Friday afternoon.
The Rockcliffe Stud homebred was one of 12 to line up for the six and a half furlong maiden and raced prominently throughout under Sean Levey. Leading before the two furlong marker, she was ridden a furlong later and kept on strongly to win by a length and a quarter.
American Kestrel is out of a black-type half-sister to Stakes performer Hairy Rocket, herself the dam of Group 2 performer The Acropolis (Churchill).