Small field but She Might Be Giant

Moony Stakes
Grade III
Seven and half furlongs
Good Turf
$125,000
Fillies and mares, 2 years old

Quality field of seven lining up for this Grade 3 even today with two 2/1 equal favorites and some good value for the multi bettors.

Here’s how they line up:

Race Record: 3 1/1/0 $35,330

Breeding: COZZENE X STORM CAT X REX IMPERATOR

The first of this filly’s three runs to date was in a MSW at Newmarket where she started at odds of 7.90 and led all the way to score nicely posting a SF of 63. She followed this up with a close 2^nd in The Yoshi Special going down narrowly by ¾ of a length with a much improved 75 SF. Stepped up in class at her last start when 6^th in the Grade 2 Little Ones Juvenile Filly and was a bit outclassed when faded to 6^th beaten 4 lengths posting a 70 SF. She meets the winner of that race on similar terms here and although the extra distance may suit, she will need to be at her best to reverse the results. Each way.

Race Record: 4 3/1/0 $287,180

Breeding: GIANT’S CAUSEWAY X SEEKING THE GOLD X DANEHILL

Four lifetime starts for this filly have resulted in 3 wins including a Grade 2 victory. Started off her career in a MSW over 5.5F at Pennsylvania when scored a convincing victory posting a 63 SF. Made it two from two with a win in an A-9900NW1x winning well and posting a 67 SF. Faced a steep class rise at her third outing but proved she was up to the mark when winning the Grade 2 Little Ones Juvenile Filly at Longchamp by half a length and posting a 79 SF. Made the step up to Smackdown and certainly wasn’t disgraced when a game second behind the undefeated, Equinics winning filly SO IT”S LIKE THAT, when only beaten 1 ¼ lengths posting a brilliant 86 SF for the seven furlongs. Brilliant filly improving all the time and with no number 1 ranked 2 year old here today, this one stands out as the one to beat.

Race Record: 1 1/0/0 $27,120

Breeding: HERNANDO X HERAT X D’ACCORD

Just one race for this filly resulted in a win in her MSW posting a 70 SF and winning by one length in a field of nine. The winner of this race will likely be posting a SF anywhere in the high 80’s or even low 90’s and it’s pretty hard to see this one improving to that level at just her second start. However winning your first race is a good feat these days and I think it may only be a matter of time before she can mix it with the likes of these.

Race Record: 5 2/2/0 $90,304

Breeding: BERNADINI X DEPUTY MINISTER X CAPOTE

The most experienced runner in the field here, this filly has had five runs to date and has certainly held her own against some tough opposition. First race start went out at odds of 4.60 and was a moderate effort when defeated by 5 lengths in to fifth on the dirt. Trainer yesguy made the switch to the dirt and immediately got the desired results with a victory at Nevada in a MSW posting a much improved 73 SF. Stepped up to Stakes Class when 2^nd beaten ¾ of a length in The Surpassingly Bow Challenge returning a 78 SF for the 6.5F journey. Next time out showed a good turn of foot to come from well back to score in The Lord Bet Stakes and followed that up with another fast finishing 2^nd in The Grade 3 Fast Lane Stakes over 6.5F at Iowa. Definitely looks as though the extra ½ furlong will suit here and looks to be one of the major players.

Race Record: 3 2/0/0 $61,500

Breeding: DEEP IMPACT X GONE WEST X NUREYEV

Genuine improver here who is unbeaten on the turf and is looking to stamp herself as force to be reckoned with. First lifetime start showed some pace but faded on unsuitable dirt and was immediately switched to turf by trainer hornedfrog. The switch had pleasing results as she won her MSW at Upper New York by a length posting an impressive 80 SF. Followed that up with an equally impressive run in The Sir Achievement Memorial when victorious by a ¼ of a length in a field of five. Again rising in class but it’s hard to knock winning form and natural improvement gives her a chance here.

Race Record: 4 3/0/0 $142,030

Breeding: MONARCH’S MAZE X PRIZED X VIRGINIA RAPIDS

This filly is on the cheaper side of the breeding scale but evidently no one has bothered to tell her that. Four lifetime starts for 3 wins including a Grade 3, this is the type of horse that gives hope to all of us looking for that star without the star pedigree. First lifetime start had the bookies cheering when finished fourth beaten 2 lengths at odds of 145.90 and posting a 66 SF. Second time out proved the run was no fluke when taking out her MSW at Maryland by 1 length posting a 68 SF for the 5F at the nice odds of 30.40. Third up took out The Titanium Palace Special at Connecticut by 1 ¼ lengths with a 70 SF. Then silenced the critics when impressively winning the Grade3 Treasure Got Ripped Off Stakes by a length and a half and returning a much improved SF of 78. Continues to train on well and shows natural improvement so must be considered a strong chance in this race.

Race Record: 4 2/1/0 $71,990

Breeding: LAWMAN X RAINBOW QUEST X TOUGH NIGHT

Trainer meguire didn’t bother with a MSW with this filly, putting her straight into an ALW and with good reason, she won nicely at good odds by half a length posting a 71 SF on a yielding track. Second up wasn’t as impressive when beaten by 4 ¼ lengths posting a 64 SF. Showed a liking for the yielding turf when successful at her next run and again ran a nice race last start when 2^nd in The Skogbys Nurse Challenge on the yielding turf posting a 77 SF. Has shown a liking for the off tracks and gets the good turf here today. This race is her chance to show if she can cut the mustard. Each way.

In summary, my clear top pick is SHE MIGHT BE GIANT, great record so far and proven at this level.

I’ll throw in 12/1 shot MONARCH’S PRIZE as a danger, definitely over the odds here and represents some good value for a Graded winner and might be able to give some cheek.

Take your pick for third in an open event.

Good luck to all connections!!!!