Alphardini blew the start about as badly as possible in race 1 at Aqueduct.

She appeared to smack her nose on the left side of her stall when the gates opened, and then hit the outer side of the gate once she landed. She ducked inward badly once leaving his stall, had to be checked, and in the matter of a second or two trailed the field by about 20 lengths. Jockey Richard Bracho did a good job to stay aboard.

The stewards conducted an inquiry into the incident and ruled that 50-1 Alphardini caused his own problems and that there would be no refunds.

Rattle the Stars ($14.40) outbattled 2-5 favorite Heartbustingirl in the stretch to win the $30,000 maiden-claiming race for New York-breds.