February 21, 2016
There were only a few clear choices in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes at FG on Saturday afternoon but local experience over the course provided to be the difference as Moment Of Madness, winner of the Lecomte Stakes, got the inside track and beat a pair of Downwind Stables entrants for his third win in four career starts. With nearly $400.000 in earnings and now, 50 points towards the TC, he looks towards the LA Derby as a stepping stone to the biggest race of the year on the first Saturday in May.
There is such a short run into the first turn at FG that the outside horses in the Risen Star had to press forward and Cozzene Lyphard (12.50) and Box Of Rain (12.05) did just that, trying to establish the lead from Water Mummy (7.30) and Moment Of Madness (*3.20). As the leaders finally got down to the rail, both Swift Flyer (4.95) and Dream It Again (16.00) were caught wide with the favourite hugging the rail and through a first quarter-mile in 23.08, everyone seemed to find a spot to run. Box Of Rain quickly backed away, leaving Cozzene Lyphard as the lone leader and while Swift Flyer moved forward, so did Moment Of Madness and he got the inside track from a great post position. The backfield started to get involved through a very quick half-mile in 46.13 and as the push into the far turn came, Cozzene Lyphard was the leader with plenty left in the tank. While the favourite got a dream run up the rail, Water Mummy was caught almost seven-wide around the turn and with Box Of Rain closing well between rivals, the fractions looked to catch up with the leader as six-furlongs came up in 1:09.83. Into the lane, the scramble was certainly on with the back markers coming eight- and nine-wide but the run of the race came up the fence from Moment Of Madness and with a furlong to go, he was slowly and steadily moving up with Prime Time Opus (12.85) amongst the best closers and Water Mummy still charging wide. At the wire, Moment Of Madness had just enough left to last on the lead with Water Mummy finishing a clear second, from Prime Time Opus in third and Bright Castle (4.95) very wide but full of run in fourth. Cozzene Lyphard and Box Of Rain hung around in midpack, Mystery Boy (11.65) made a minor run, End Game (172.15) came inside and Carneyman (10.20) came very wide despite being saddled with post 2. Swift Flyer backed up badly, Jolly Charley (33.05) never got involved and Dream It Again drew in but never really factored late in what turned out to be a dismal effort.
Owner Mb Stables had a huge Saturday at FG with three stakes wins but no one was better than Moment Of Madness in the Grade II Risen Star, as the three-year-old son of Zero Return showed his class in only his fourth start and most likely earned his trip to Louisville at the beginning of May. His speed rating of 96 was a slight decrease from his win in the Lecomte but he goes to the LA Derby in fine form and should face another full field, which is has been able to handle in spades with both middle and inside posts.
Congratulations goes out to owner Mb Stables and their three-year-old colt Moment Of Madness, a last gasp winner of the Grade II Risen Star Stakes at FG!
Prediction Moment Of Madness / Water Mummy / Bright Castle
Winner Moment Of Madness
Three-year-old bay colt
Zero Return-Tartan Steel (Steel Ball)
Owner Mb Stables
Time 23.08, 46.13, 1:09.83, 1:41.47
Overall
Moment Of Madness *3.20 stalked inside, dream run, up in time
Water Mummy 7.30 wide run, tried to close, missed
Prime Time Opus 12.85 between rivals late, close third
Bright Castle 4.95 wide trip throughout
Cozzene Lyphard 12.50 set pace, determined, weakened late
Box Of Rain 12.05 stalked, faded in drive
Mystery Boy 11.65 even effort
End Game 172.15 inside trip
Carneyman 10.20 no threat
Swift Flyer 4.95 pressed, faded
Jolly Charley 33.05 outrun
Dream It Again 16.00 brief speed, backed up badly
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
