The Fayette (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
KEE- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
October 26, 2019

During the summer, Malibu Moon was entered into the Grade 3 Affirmed fresh off of allowance victories. He won the race, providing hope that there would be more big wins in the future. That never materialized in his next two graded events, but that is something that would change in the Fayette. We would not make Malibu Moon one of our picks, but I did have the feeling that we would see him run closer to the front in this race early, like he did in the Affirmed, instead of trying to come from off the pace which was what he had been doing recently. Trainer D J C Racing Stables did indeed go back to that, and over this track listed as good, it would Malibu Moon scoring the win. So maybe again, we can talk about the potential for him to score more big wins in his career. Trainer D J C Racing Stables is now a two time winner of this race, having also won in 2013 with the late Bella Rose. Aboard the winner, and winning for the first time, was J Bravo. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:49.71. Note that we had a late scratch in the race with Market Value, which was likely due to the bit of rain we had here as his previous off track start was quite poor. Time to take a look at this race!

(½ Mile- :48.48)- Out of the gate, Charlemagnes Command, from John Henry, would break real well and win an initial battle with the two horses from the outside that were having their outside push. Charlemagnes Command led by a length and a half going around the first turn, but as he moved into the backstretch, Sport Guide, from Estero Farms settled into the second position after passing a couple within the turn. The two outside horses, Waldo’s Bad Bay Boy, and Nakamura Stables’ Rotten Apple did initially look like they would challenge for the lead but settled into the fourth and fifth positions. Just ahead of them with a solid and clean beginning on the rail was our eventual winner from D J C Racing Stables, Malibu Moon. He was a length and a half behind and was content to stay right behind Charlemagnes Command for now. After the front five, Undefeated Season (Night Rider Stables) led the next group, with Glitter Diety (Mb Stables) to his inside. Another length back, Crystal Speed (TwinTowersRacing) and Cannes Farley (RNP Stables) ran together. Our pick to win, Ete Crack (Gdp Inc), trailed early by seven.

(3/4 Mile- 1:12.65)- Approaching the end of the backstretch, Charlemagnes Command was looking unable to keep up the pace, and conceded the top spot to Sport Guide. Malibu Moon moved off the rail as to not be hindered, and was even with him for the second position. Otherwise, there was not a lot of activity within this field, but things were looking like they were about to change very soon, so let’s move ahead a little bit.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- Rounding the turn, Malibu Moon put away Charlemagnes Command with ease but even more impressive was the way he seemed to effortlessly complete the pass of Sport Guide as well. That one had seemed to be running well himself, but at the top of the stretch, he now had a length lead. Things were looking good for D J C Racing Stables, too, in that he had nearly three lengths on the next horse that was moving forward, being Undefeated Season. Charlemagnes Command was dropping, and both Bad Bay Boy and Rotten Apple were coming up empty for the stretch. Cannes Farley was running really well, but had a roadblock in front of him, and had to go six wide within the turn, and had about four lengths back. Further back, Ete Crack had plenty of run coming, but had no where to go.

(Finish- 1:49.71)- Malibu Moon did not have an overpowering stretch run, but he didn’t need to. He had the lead and was able to do what was necessary to get the win. Sport Guide was unable to make another run at him, but did try to hold his position. Further back, Ete Crack just could not find a crack to come on through in the field. With a little less then a furlong to go, he would, and made a worthwhile effort, but Malibu Moon was too far ahead to have any concerns about him. It’s a sharp looking win for Malibu Moon, and Ete Crack’s run got him second over Sport Guide with the headbob at the wire. Longshot Cannes Farley came on for fourth while running on the outside, holding off Undefeated Season for that piece of the purse. Bad Bad Boy was next, ahead of non-factors all race Glitter Diety and Crystal Speed. Rounding out the order were Rotten Apple and early runner Charlemagnes Command.

About The Winner- Malibu Moon, trained by D J C Racing Stables and ridden to victory by J Bravo, is a three year old colt by Scott The Great, and is out Cest Creepy. He was bred by Night Mare Racing in California as a first quarter two year old, and acquired by D J C when he was still unraced, via private sales in January 2018 for $100.000. The win is his fifth in 13 starts, and his second stake win. His career earnings are now $272.500.

Track: Good
Time: :48²  1:12³  1:37   1:49³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 9 Paid 117.60
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 9 – 7 Paid 1,521.50

Scratched: Market Value

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES