Counting Stars, a 2-year-old filly trained by Mark Casse and owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, showcased her dominance by winning the $150,000 Year’s End Stakes at Oaklawn Park on December 27. After a 13-day rest and stretching out from a sprint to a route, she overcame the challenges with ease, finishing a mile on a fast track in 1:38.68 and winning by six lengths. This victory marked her second stakes win of the meet, following a strong performance in the Astral Spa Overnight Stakes two weeks earlier. Ridden by jockey Francisco Arrieta, Counting Stars moved from a wide fourth position early in the race to take command in the final stages, demonstrating a powerful finish.
Bred in Kentucky by HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud, Counting Stars is a bay filly by Honor A. P. out of the mare Paynterbynumbers. She was purchased for $150,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The filly’s sire, Honor A. P., stands at Lane’s End with a stud fee of $7,500 for 2026. Counting Stars’ impressive performances have established her as a rising star in the racing scene, with notable competitors Newtown Pike and Scot’s Law finishing behind her in the Year’s End Stakes.
