Cotillion Stakes – (Grade l)

Purse $1,000.00 – For Fillies Three Years Old
1 1/16 Miles – Dirt – Parx – September 19, 2026

Woman On The Moon rallied from off the pace and prevailed by a nose to secure her first Grade One victory in the 19th running of the Cotillion Stakes! After previously placing in the Acorn and finishing a close fourth in the Alabama, this daughter of Solar System finally broke through at the highest level in her sixth Grade One appearance. This win was her fifth from thirteen career starts and increased her lifetime earnings to $1,212.20. It also gave Arindel his second visit to the winner’s circle in the Cotillion Stakes, moving him into a three-way tie with Mb Stables and Smokey Stover atop the race’s all-time owner leaderboard. Woman On The Moon completed the 1 1/16 miles on the main track in 1:41.42, establishing a new stakes record dating back to the inaugural running in 2008! Connections must now decide whether to test this Ontario-bred against older fillies and mares in next month’s Breeders Cup Distaff at Keeneland or call it a year and begin preparing for 2027. No matter where she heads next, Woman On The Moon has officially stamped herself as one of the division’s leading fillies. Congratulations to Arindel!

Winner: Woman On The Moon – (Arindel, B. Curtis) This filly broke cleanly from the gate before settling in sixth about three lengths behind the early leaders. Woman On The Moon continued to travel comfortably down the backstretch before beginning to pick off rivals approaching the far turn. She advanced into fourth as three-quarters went in 1:11.16, then swung three-wide to launch her devastating late rally. Jockey Ben Curtis called on her for more around the turn, and she responded by moving into second as the field entered the stretch. This Ontario-bred gradually wore down the leaders and edged to the front inside the final furlong, but Lady Lobo refused to go away on the inside. The two fillies battled stride for stride through the final yards, with Woman On The Moon getting her nose down at the wire to secure the victory. Well done!

Second Place: Lady Lobo – (D J C Racing Stables, J R. Velazquez) Lady Lobo broke alertly from the inside post and settled into a stalking position behind the two Mb runners. She remained one length off the leaders through the opening quarter of 23.39 and continued to track the leading pair as the half went in 47.08. As Fire Missle began to drop back, Lady Lobo moved into second and set her sights on Dreambits approaching the far turn. The daughter of Conquest kept advancing around the bend, but Woman On The Moon was beginning a sweeping move to her outside. Lady Lobo overtook the tiring leader in the stretch before being joined by Woman On The Moon for the final furlong. She battled gamely between horses and refused to give in, matching strides with the eventual winner all the way to the wire. Very solid effort.

Third Place: Malibu Cracker – (Martyparty, A A. Gallardo) The daughter of Malibu Moon broke cleanly and settled into fourth behind the leading trio during the early stages. She remained within striking distance through the opening quarter while racing comfortably in the second flight. Malibu Cracker continued to hold her position three lengths back down the backside, but was briefly pushed back to fifth when Woman On The Moon began her advance. This filly was asked for more around the far turn and began responding as the field straightened for home. Although she could not match the turn of foot of the top two, Malibu Cracker kept grinding away and passed several tiring rivals in the stretch. Jockey Antonio Gallardo was able to produce one final surge inside the final 1/16 to edge past Dreambits and secure third at the wire.

Fourth Place: Dreambits – (Mb Stables, R. Santana Jr.) Dreambits broke very quickly and immediately took command as the field entered the first turn. She established a one-length advantage while setting the opening quarter in 23.39, with Fire Missle and Lady Lobo tracking behind her. This California-bred traveled comfortably down the backstretch and maintained her lead through a half-mile in 47.08. She remained in front after three-quarters went in 1:11.16, but the field began closing in as they rounded the far turn. Dreambits still held the advantage entering the stretch before Woman On The Moon and Lady Lobo moved up to challenge. She was overtaken inside the final furlong but continued fighting to hold third until Malibu Cracker edged past her in the closing yards. The daughter of Terabyte finished only one length back in the end.

– AJM

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES