Arnaz Stakes ($100.000 Purse)
DMR- For Fillies Two Years Old
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
November 19, 2022

The last time that Black Moon Concerto was on the track, it was in the Grade 1 Alcibiades, and while she did only finish fifth in the race, it was against a much stronger field than she would be meeting in the Arnaz Stakes. She had otherwise been good, we made her our pick to win. Evidently, virtual bettors did not agree, and made her the longest shot on the board at 21/1. Surely, it was one of those moments where we wish could have HRP odds at real life race tracks, and in the Arnaz Stakes, Black Moon Concerto showed that making her a longshot in this race was absolutely ridiculous. This was not the Alcibiades, and she would not be running quite as long in it either. It’s a great win for her, and for trainer TwinTowersRacing who wins the race for the first time. Jockey V Espinoza has now won three times, including now two in a row. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:22.28, and that my friends, is you’re new stake record! Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.09)- The early lead of the race goes to I Can See, and Rousee’s filly holds an advantage of about half a length at this point over Double Dragon, trained by Fractious, who is on her inside. In a stalking position behind them, we have three that are running side by side by side and the eventual winner, TwinTowersRacing’s Black Moon Concerto is one of them as she runs on the rail. Proper Thing is right beside her for D J C Racing Stables and running on the outside, it’s Miss Laffin (South Beach Racing). It’s another length to the trailer, Chopsticks (Nj Vets).

(½ Mile- :46.08)- I Can See continues to show the way down the backstretch, and for most of this portion of the race, she still could see Double Dragon to her inside, a half length back. That would change as we got near the turn, as Double Dragon was no longer able to keep up and began to drop back. The three wide group lost about a length to the front runners during the backstretch, and none of them were pushing forward at this time. Starting with Black Moon Concerto, they would all move down a lane for the turn to keep from running into Double Dragon. Chopsticks was two lengths further back from them.

(Top of Stretch, 1.6F To Go)- I Can see handles the turn well, and moves into stretch still holind a lead. But her advantage was shrinking as Black Moon Concerto and to a lesser extent, Proper Thing, were making very good progress on her. It seemed like both would be poised to make a pass in the stretch. Black Moon Concerto was only a length back, and had Proper Thing and Miss Laffin to her outside. Within the turn, I was not as convinced on Miss Laffin, but entering the top of the stretch, she too looked like she would have something to say about the finish here. Double Dragon had fallen to fifth, and if Chopsticks had been saving something, it was time to move now!

(Finish- 1:22.28)- With a furlong to go, Black Moon Concerto is clearly better than both Proper Thing and Miss Laffin and is closing quickly on I Can See. The early pacesetter hangs tough as much as possible, but on this day, Black Moon Concerto’s stake record speed would be too much for her. Behind the winner, Miss Laffin squeezed by I Can See for second at the wire. Proper Thing is fourth, over Chopsticks and Double Dragon.

About The Winner- Black Moon Concerto, trained by TwinTowersRacing, and ridden to victory by V Espinoza, is a two year old filly by Concerto Of Eggs and is out of Dizzy Daisy. She was bred in New York by her trainer as a yearling, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in six starts and first stake win. Her career earnings are now $84.600.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :46   1:09⁴  1:22¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 6 Paid 224.40
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 6 – 5 Paid 377.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded