D J C Racing Stables three year old bay made the best of the front end on the day, grabbing the lead as the field crossed the wire for the first time, then never looking back, controlling this event throughout.

• Affirmed ( Grade III ) – Purse $100.000
• Santa Anita Park – For Three year olds
• Mile and a sixteenth – Main Track
• June 16th. 2019

Even though he would officially be placed as second at the half mile mark of this event when John Henry’s Charlemagnes Command came charging off the turn onto the backstretch, Malibu Moon never waivered with keeping himself right in the hunt. He would take back the lead with a half mile to the finish line and continue out front right to the wire in a final time of 1:41.58. This would not only be the sophomores first Graded victory, but also his first ever stakes title as well in nine career starts.

The only other entry to finish better then 1:42 at the wire was runner-up Made Of Glass ( Mb Stables ) in 1:41.82. Kept pace one to two lengths back of the eventual winner throughout the race, and when asked to close down the lane, made up some minimal distance, but the leader was still strong. He is still in search of his first Graded company win, but has a stakes title to his credit.

Grabbing the show purse with a late effort after trailing the field from the back, Paradise Stables‘ Courageous Tantra showed he can run on late with the best of them. This is his second try at a Graded event, and still is looking for a victory. Longer would be better, and possibly The Curlin over at the Spa next month might be a good fit.

While he showed a decent effort midway through this event, Charlemagnes Command would be unable to keep that pace going throughout, and would find himself settling for fourth. May need a drop to the non-graded level to find his niche.

While he seemed like he was going to stay with the early pace, La Rosa Stables Reacher just seem to lack the drive in the late stages. This was only his second start for this trainer, so given time he will find the remedy to today’s race.

Duffer

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES