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Malibu Moon Filly Cruises to Rising Stardom at Spa

Sophomore filly More Moonshine (Malibu Moon) sat off a quick pace and skipped home in the muddy stretch to earn the 'TDN Rising Star' nod for an impressive belated debut Sunday at Saratoga. Having been very close to an unveiling here last year only to suffer a setback, the dark bay showed an upbeat local tab for a barn that can win with a firster but doesn't often get bet like it, and was let go at 6-1. Away in good order, the Summer Wind Equine homebred sat in a distant sixth among a strung-out group as favored Equal Pay (Quality Road) took pressure through splits of :22.44 and :45.49. Florida invader Perfect Grace (Tapit–Havre de Grace) ranged up and briefly looked like the winner approaching the straight, but More Moonshine soon caught the eye out wider and cruised past Perfect Grace in upper stretch. Never shown the stick by Junior Alvarado, she cantered away by 6 1/2 lengths, stopping the clock in 1:23.59. Perfect Grace was far in front of the others. Equal Pay faded to last, one spot behind well-bred newcomer Mezcal (Pioneerof the Nile–Cathryn Sophia).

The winner is a full to fellow 'Rising Star' Moonshine Memories, MGISW, $549,056, a $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad and two-time highest-level winner at two; and half to precocious runner and former California-based sire Indian Evening (Indian Charlie), SW-Can, GSP-USA, $140,172, who was third in the local GII Saratoga Special S. in 2011. Another half-brother, stakes-placed Mo for the Money (Uncle Mo), stands in Arkansas.

Dam Unenchanted Evening–a half to Horse of the Year and champion 2-year-old Favorite Trick (Phone Trick)–was also bred by Jane Lyon's Summer Wind. She has a 2-year-old full-brother to More Moonshine and Moonshine Memories who cost $375,000 at Keeneland September before being exported to France. Unenchanted was not bred back for 2020, but produced a Justify colt this term.

Malibu Moon, who died in May at age 24, has now sired an impressive 22 'TDN Rising Stars'.

7th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-18, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:23.59, my, 6 1/2 lengths.
MORE MOONSHINE, f, 3, Malibu Moon
                1st Dam: Unenchantedevening, by Unbridled's Song
                2nd Dam: Evil Elaine, by Mediaval Man
                3rd Dam: Distinctive Elaine, by Distinctive
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-William I. Mott.

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Spendthrift’s Young Guns at F-T July

Generally well-represented at most sales venues throughout the yearling season, Spendthrift Farm offers a sextet of homebred youngsters, dominated by the offspring of a trio of the nursery's fledgling stallions, at the Fasig-Tipton July sale, set to take place July 13. And while the operation has reached great heights with its marquee stallions–the late Malibu Moon and Into Mischief–the basis of Spendthrift's program has been largely built upon the continuous replenishment of young stallions offered at affordable fees.

“We want breeding to work for everybody involved,” explained Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey. “Of course, we are always looking for the caliber of superstars of the late Malibu Moon and Into Mischief, but we haven't forgotten that Into Mischief initially stood for $12,500 and, in his second year, he stood for $6,500. We also appreciate the fact that good horses can come from anywhere. Fasig-Tipton has always had a long tradition of showcasing new sires and we think this is a great place to try to introduce our young stallions and to show the buyers and the breeders what kind of horses these sires are able to produce. And that is very much what this group of yearlings is there to do.”

Case in point, Spendthrift's stallion roster is represented at the July sale by a pair of Grade I-winning stallions who are represented by their first yearlings in 2021: Mor Spirit (Eskendereya) and Free Drop Billy (Union Rags), in addition to freshman sire Lord Nelson (Pulpit).

Among those represented by first yearlings this season is GI Los Alamitos and GI Met Mile winner Mor Spirit. A $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Florida graduate, he also won the GIII Robert Lewis S. and GIII Sexton Mile. A total of eight yearlings by the sire are on offer in this season's July catalog, and Spendthrift's homebred duo consists of a pair of colts: Hip 44, out of Malibu Cove (Malibu Moon); and Hip 62, out of Palmilla Moon (Malibu Moon). The former, consigned by Eaton Sales, is a half-brother to GSW and GISP Kalypso (Brody's Cause). Out of a full-sister to Grade III scorer Prospective, the Jan. 29 foal is from the extended family of champion North Sider.

“He is out of a mare that is the dam of Kalypso, from the first crop of [Spendthrift sire] Brody's Cause,” offered Toffey. “We think this is an exceptional individual. Physically speaking, this colt takes a backseat to nobody. We think he's very much what buyers will like. He's got good size, but he's not too big. He has very good bone and is correct. He's also beautifully muscled. And he looks very fast. We think he's a horse that will really appeal to buyers.”

Spendthrift also serves up hip 62–consigned by Scott Mallory–the second foal out of 6-year-old Palmilla Moon. A $180,000 KEESEP yearling purchase in 2016, the mare is a granddaughter of the prolific Aletta Maria (Diesis {GB}), who is responsible for Grade I-scoring turfers Cetewayo and Dynaforce, in addition to Grade II winner Bowman Mill. Covering over 300 mares in his first two seasons at stud, Mor Spirit stands for $5,000 S&N this year.

“This colt is very a strong, well balanced and really sturdy individual,” said Toffey. “He has tremendous bone and very athletic. He's just one of those horses who has always done everything right for us. We think he is a very good example of what this sire is throwing.”

Also standing for the same advertised fee in 2021, Free Drop Billy recorded his most important career victory at two, taking the GI Breeders' Futurity. Appearing early in the catalog under the Scott Mallory banner is Hip 5, a filly out of SP Cedar Summer (Souvenir Copy). The Feb. 26 foal is a half-sister to MSW and GSP Populist Politics (Don't Get Mad).

“This is a very fast, athletic looking filly,” Toffey said.

Outlining the sire's attributes, Toffey added, “He is a beautifully made, compact horse. He's a beautifully-bred horse and we're really seeing that in this offspring. He tends to throw more size than he has himself. They have a lot of substance and a lot of bone and classy looking animals. You are seeing the depth of his pedigree come out.”

Hip 91, who also represents the young stallion in this year's catalog, will be precluded from the sale, confirmed Toffey. Out of the Tiznow mare Tiz the Key, the filly hails from the family of European champion juvenile filly Gay Gallanta (Fr).

“We have an absolute monster of a physical by Free Drop Billy out of Tiz the Key that has to come out because of a minor issue coming along at the wrong time,” he said. “But we expect to have her in Fasig-Tipon's October sale.”

A stakes winner at two, Lord Nelson won the GII San Vincente S. the following season, although he enjoyed his best season at four, annexing a trio of Grade I sprints–the Santa Anita Championship, Bing Crosby S. and Triple Bend S. With six yearlings by the sire catalogued for July, Spendthrift is represented by Hip 114, a colt out of Bonita Mia (Warrior's Reward) who is also consigned by Scott Mallory. The colt's unraced dam is out of Miss Simpatia (Arg)–a sister to Argentine Champion Miss Linda (Arg)–making her a half-sister to GI Acorn S. winner Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) and Miss Match (Arg) (Indygo Shiner), victorious in the GI Santa Margarita invitational S. as well as the G1 Argentine Oaks.

“We felt this was a very quick-looking and athletic colt,” stated Toffey. “The pinhookers appeared to do well with the Lord Nelsons this year. And we felt they would be more than willing to go back to the well on him. His 2-year-olds have been very promising so far and we're excited about his chances this year.”

In 2020, a total of 37 yearlings by Lord Nelson sold for an average of $84,972, including a half-brother to Spendthrift resident sire Maximus Mischief (Into Mischief) who realized $460,000 at Keeneland last September. This season, 26 juveniles by Lord Nelson sold for an average of $99,903, headed by a $385,000 OBSMAR purchase out of Luna Dorada (Seeking the Gold). The stallion was advertised at $10,000 S&N for 2021.

“His horses are really developing beautifully,” Toffey opined. “They are good, medium sized horses that are very athletic and well balanced. And they look quick.”

Rounding out Spendthrift's offering at July are a pair of yearlings by the operation's marquee stallions. Consigned by Four Star Sales, Hip 339 is by the nation's leading sire Into Mischief and out of MSP Anahauc (Henny Hughes), a sister to stakes winners Gangbuster and Dreamcall. Recently deceased sire Malibu Moon is also represented by seven yearlings in the catalog, including Spendthrift's Hip 141. Consigned by Scott Mallory, the colt is out of GSW Daring Kathy (Wildcat Heir).

“Any stud farm is so fortunate when they can get a stallion of the caliber of Malibu Moon or Into Mischief, but you always know that you have to continue to be looking for the next one,” said Toffey. “They don't come along that often. There will be a lot of stallions that are given a shot at stud and that just don't make it, so there are no guarantees. It's an ongoing process to find the next good horse. And any farm that gets a horse like Malibu Moon at all is very fortunate, and you'd like not one but two, but that is very difficult to do so you always have to keep looking. In this game, whether it's stallions, racehorses or mares, you're always looking for the next big horse. And that's what we're trying to do.”

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Path To The Plate: ‘Very Professional’ Tidal Forces Showing All The Right Signs

It was a victory Gail Cox perhaps didn't quite see coming a mile and a sixteenth away, but one that was a game changer for the trainer and the striking Sam-Son Farm homebred.

The odds, 6-1 on the Woodbine infield toteboard, suggested Tidal Forces had a decent shot at winning the allowance optional claiming main track race this past Saturday at the Toronto oval.

Cox also figured he had a reasonable chance at taking the spoils.

“He ran so well in his first start [April 10, at Gulfstream] I really like him. Running that first race at Gulfstream, it's tough there. He ran so well and it was a very impressive effort.”

As was his encore at Woodbine.

At the end of the 8.5-furlong main track race, the 3-year-old son of Malibu Moon crossed the wire a half-length winner under Emma-Jayne Wilson.

Although Cox wasn't certain Tidal Forces, who was unraced at 2, could get up in time for the victory, Wilson had no doubt about the outcome.

“It impressed me that he settled so nicely. Emma said he had the measure of them the whole way. When they were turning for home and down the lane, I thought, 'Is he going to get there?' When I talked to Emma after the race, she said she knew they would. I thought, maybe, he wouldn't have enough speed for there, but I think he did. In hindsight, when you watch the replay, you could see that he did have the measure of them the whole time.”

While there are still key races to be run ahead of the Queen's Plate (August 22), the big picture has now come into sharper focus for Tidal Forces' connections.

Listed at 50-1 in the Queen's Plate Winterbook, the Ontario-bred has now stamped himself as a legitimate Plate contender.

Aside from his physical talents, Tidal Forces' demeanor has impressed Cox from day one.

“He's a pretty cool guy. He eats well and he's pretty easy to deal with. He walks over the paddock calmly. He's just very professional in everything he does. There are times when you see little signs of immaturity, losing focus a little bit, but I'm really happy with everything when it comes to him.”

Cox doesn't dial back that high praise even if Tidal Forces can be, at times, somewhat laid back.

“When you're walking out to the track with him, you'd almost think he's lazy. He kind of wanders out and wanders back. But when you turn around to gallop him, he's quite powerful. And that's just the type of horse you love to have, one who can turn the dial from laid-back to all business.”

Those aren't the only things that have stuck with Tidal Forces.

Although he no longer showcases a particular look, the sobriquet bestowed upon him has stayed.

“We call him 'Brutus,' said Cox with a laugh. “As a young horse, he had this huge neck, a big, fat, wide neck. As he's grown up, he's certainly lengthened out a bit and become much more refined. He's really quite beautiful.”

A horse that looks to be a bona fide Plate contender.

That said, Cox, in search of her first win in the $1 million classic, will endeavor to rein in her emotions as the road to the big day continues to intensify.

“I'm really happy we got to run him at Woodbine because he is going to need a couple of races now that we are planning towards running him in the Plate. He's got to get some experience. But after these two races, it makes you confident in taking the next step.”

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Talented Filly Always Carina To Make Stakes Debut In Mother Goose

Three Chimneys Farm homebred Always Carina, trained by four-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown, will make her stakes debut in Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Mother Goose, a 1 1/16-miles test for sophomore fillies at Belmont Park.

Undefeated in two starts, Always Carina debuted with a four-length score in a key six-furlong maiden special weight on a muddy main track at Aqueduct Racetrack in April and followed with a widening 9 3/4-length score in a one-turn mile optional-claiming event at Belmont on May 20.

“It's a super race,” said Doug Cauthen, vice chairman of Three Chimneys Farm. “I think it's a good stepping stone as far as distance and now we'll see if she can handle the step up in class because it's clearly going to be a challenging race. We think she has talent and she deserves the chance to be in there.”

The well-bred daughter of Malibu Moon is a half-sister to the 2019 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Structor, who is also campaigned by Brown. She is out of the More Than Ready mare Miss Always Ready, who is a full-sister to 2010 Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf champ More Than Real.

“The dam was a really attractive and athletic filly purchased at the Keeneland April 2-year-old sale and showed quite a bit of talent, but had an injury that ended her career,” said Cauthen. “But whenever these well-bred good-looking fillies show talent, even if you don't get the black type, I've seen – and continue to see – a lot of success from those types of mares.

“She was bred to a Three Chimneys stallion and had great success with a Grade 1-winner in the first crop of Palace Malice,” added Cauthen. “The mare just keeps throwing very nice foals. Always Carina showed a lot of promise but had a setback and didn't get to run at two, but so far she's shown the talent we thought she had.”

Cauthen said Always Carina likely gets her main track talent from her sire, although her dam did run sixth in the 2014 Grade 3 Tempted on the Big A main track for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

“Todd thought enough of the mother to run her in the Tempted and although she didn't place, she showed talent on turf and dirt,” said Cauthen. “Obviously, with Malibu Moon, you see a lot of dirt. She very much looks like a Malibu Moon type physically and I wouldn't say he dominated the breeding, because the mare put some great genetics into it, but physically I think the sire is why she's handling the dirt.”

Cauthen said Miss Always Ready has produced three more fillies following Always Carina.

“She has a 2-year-old by Palace Malice, a nice yearling by Gun Runner and another full to Structor baby,” said Cauthen. “The 2-year-old had some issues and she may just be retained as a broodmare. The other two are in good order and will hopefully make the races.”

Cauthen said he is hopeful of a good result on Saturday as Always Carina steps up in class to face an experienced group that includes the graded-stakes winning Clairiere for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

“Whenever they put a graded stakes up in New York, you know it's going to be tough,” said Cauthen. “We have had high hopes for her for a long time but this will be the acid test to see what she's made of. Steve's filly, among others, will be very tough in there with a lot more seasoning.”

Flavien Prat has the call aboard Always Carina from post 2.

Stonestreet Stables' homebred Clairiere, by Curlin, is out of the multiple Grade 1-winner Cavorting. Clairiere made her first four starts at 1 1/16-miles, capturing the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra in February at Fair Grounds at third asking.

Following a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks, Clairiere finished fourth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks when stretched out to nine furlongs on April 30 at Churchill Downs.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. picks up the mount from post 3.

Reiko and Michael Baum's Illiogami, trained by Rusty Arnold, will look to stay undefeated in 2021 as she steps into stakes company for the first time following a pair of late-closing wins at the Mother Goose distance.

A $400,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, the Kentucky-bred Tapit gray is out of the multiple Group 1-winning Falco mare Odeliz. Illiogami graduated at fourth asking with a head score at Keeneland on April 2 and followed with a 1 1/4-length win in an optional-claiming tilt on April 30 at Churchill Downs.

Arnold said the filly is at her best when she can sit and make one run.

“At Keeneland, she didn't get away good. We didn't think she'd be that far back, but she just got in a tangle and didn't get away,” said Arnold. “At Churchill, it was more what we were hoping for. We weren't going to rush her out of there and she gained momentum as she came on. We're really excited about her.”

Julien Leparoux retains the mount from post 5.

Gary Barber's Make Mischief, trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, is the most experienced contender in the field with a record of 11-4-3-2 and purse earnings of $350,750.

Bred in New York by Avanti Stable, the Into Mischief bay completed the exacta in the Grade 3 Schuylerville and Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga last summer. Make Mischief launched her sophomore campaign with four starts at the Big A, including wins in an optional-claiming event in January, the Maddie May in February and an allowance tilt in March.

In her most recent two efforts, Make Mischief has completed the trifecta in the Grade 2 Eight Belles in April at Churchill and the Grade 1 Acorn in June on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

Eric Cancel, aboard for the Maddie May and allowance score at Aqueduct, returns to the irons from the inside post.

Shadwell Stable homebred Zaajel will look to make amends after a pair of off-the-board efforts.

Zaajel captured the Grade 3 Forward Gal at second asking in January at Gulfstream Park, but faltered to sixth in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks in March. Last out, Zaajel failed to fire when last-of-7 in her turf debut in the Grade 2 Edgewood on April 30 at Churchill.

By Street Sense and out of the Daaher mare Asiya, Zaajel is a half-sister to her multiple graded stakes placed stablemate Ajaaweed.

Joel Rosario will pilot Zaajel from post 4.

The Mother Goose is carded as Race 8 on Saturday's 10-race program. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.

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