Moon Landing Denier turned early speed into a commanding victory in the $175.00 NY Breeders Futurity at Finger Lakes on October 12, 2026. Representing owner and trainer Greyhound, the two-year-old gray gelding led at every call under Bridgmohan S X, opening a two-length advantage during the middle stages before scoring by one length in 1:09.56. Sent off at 7-1, he recorded his third career victory and first stakes success.

Race Recap

Eight New York-bred juveniles contested the six-furlong Futurity over a fast dirt track, with Moon Landing Denier establishing himself as the horse to catch from the outset.

Coming off a narrow allowance victory at Saratoga, the Greyhound representative stepped into stakes company and delivered his most significant accomplishment to date. His early advantage proved particularly valuable as the competition for the minor placings intensified behind him.

A Little Bit Blazing rallied from sixth to finish second, while Decimas Pride advanced from fourth to claim third. Data Center also produced a noteworthy effort, recovering from last to finish fourth.

The outcome contrasted sharply with the fortunes of two early contenders. Golden Boy, initially second, faded to seventh, while Italian Fireball dropped from second at the third call to eighth.

Moon Landing Denier returned $16.000 for a $2 win wager. The $1 exacta paid $36.700, and the $1 trifecta returned $243.600.

The Running — Flow & Calls

First Call — Moon Landing Denier Establishes the Pace

Moon Landing Denier took command immediately, leading Golden Boy by three-quarters of a length.

Italian Fireball followed in third, with Decimas Pride fourth and Waypoint fifth. A Little Bit Blazing occupied sixth, ahead of Wildwood Park and Data Center.

The opening order placed the eventual winner in control, while several horses who would feature prominently at the finish remained farther back.

Second Call — The Advantage Widens

Moon Landing Denier increased his lead to two lengths.

Italian Fireball moved into second, passing Golden Boy, who slipped to third. Decimas Pride and Waypoint retained fourth and fifth, respectively.

A Little Bit Blazing remained sixth, while Data Center improved to seventh ahead of Wildwood Park.

The leader’s growing advantage left his pursuers with additional ground to recover.

Third Call — The Challengers Reorganize

Moon Landing Denier maintained his two-length lead, with Italian Fireball continuing in second.

Decimas Pride advanced into third, passing Golden Boy, who dropped to fourth. A Little Bit Blazing moved into fifth ahead of Waypoint.

Data Center remained seventh, followed by Wildwood Park.

Although the first two positions were unchanged, Decimas Pride and A Little Bit Blazing were beginning to improve their standing.

Final Call — The Leader Holds, the Order Changes

Moon Landing Denier completed his wire-to-wire victory in 1:09.56.

A Little Bit Blazing advanced from fifth to second, while Decimas Pride maintained third. Data Center surged from seventh to fourth, followed by Waypoint in fifth and Wildwood Park in sixth.

Golden Boy dropped to seventh, and Italian Fireball fell from second to eighth.

The winner’s sustained pace settled the contest for first, but the considerable reshuffling behind him produced a very different finishing order from that established earlier in the race.

Each Runner Mentioned

Moon Landing Denier — 1st

Moon Landing Denier led throughout, extending his initial three-quarter-length advantage to two lengths at the second and third calls. He maintained control through the finish, winning by one length without relinquishing the lead.

A Little Bit Blazing — 2nd

A Little Bit Blazing remained sixth through the first two calls before advancing to fifth at the third. He gained three additional positions during the final stage to finish second, producing the strongest closing improvement among the first three finishers.

Decimas Pride — 3rd

Decimas Pride raced fourth through the opening two calls, improved to third at the next and retained that position through the finish. He secured the final placing by a neck over Data Center.

Data Center — 4th

Data Center began eighth, improved to seventh at the second call and remained there at the third. His late advance carried him to fourth, the largest overall positional gain of any runner in the field.

Waypoint — 5th

Waypoint held fifth through the first two calls before dropping to sixth at the third. He recovered one position to finish fifth, narrowly behind Data Center.

Wildwood Park — 6th

Wildwood Park raced seventh initially and eighth through the next two calls. He improved two positions during the final stage to finish sixth, passing Golden Boy and Italian Fireball.

Golden Boy — 7th

The post-time favorite was second at the opening call but gradually lost ground in the running order, dropping to third, then fourth, before finishing seventh.

Italian Fireball — 8th

Italian Fireball advanced from third to second at the second call and maintained that position at the third. He then dropped to eighth at the finish, experiencing the most pronounced late reversal in the field.

Winning Connections & Pedigree

Moon Landing Denier is a two-year-old gray gelding by Theory(3) out of The Moon Is Blue(1).

Bred in New York by Greyhound, who also serves as his current owner and trainer, he captured the Futurity with Bridgmohan S X aboard.

His lifetime record now stands at five starts, three wins, one second and one third, with career earnings of $194.500.

Final Assessment

Moon Landing Denier’s ability to establish and maintain the lead distinguished him from a field whose running order changed considerably behind him. His first stakes victory followed a Saratoga allowance success and marked another step forward in his juvenile campaign.

A Little Bit Blazing and Data Center supplied the strongest positional recoveries, while Decimas Pride secured third with a steady advance. Golden Boy and Italian Fireball could not sustain their early prominence.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast        Time: :22¹  :45²  :57¹  1:09²
$1 Exacta: 6 – 2 Paid 36.70   $1 Trifecta: 6 – 2 – 5 Paid 243.60
Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded