August 29, 2016

Moon Landing did not run as fast in this year’s Grade I Forego as he did in last year’s event but still managed to close enough to take his second Grade I win and earn his place in the BC Sprint later this year, albeit going a furlong shorter than he probably would like to travel. The seven-time winner from Mb Stables is having an excellent campaign with three wins in six starts and has almost $1000.000 stashed away after beating 13 of the top sprinters on the square with his closing effort out wide.

It was a mad scramble at the start of the Forego with Generals Companion (15.90) and Trench Admiral (14.65) breaking sharply from the outside with Domination Nation (19.30) trying to move forward inside of West Northwest (35.00). Trench Admiral finally spurted away and got down to the rail but paid a hefty price with a 22.68 opening split which left Generals Companion wide into the far turn but gaining on the loose leader. Favourite Hallelujah (*2.35) made a bold run inside to get into contention with Texas Sky Hawk (32.10) behind him but as the field raced past a half-mile in 45.45, Generals Companion was still up front and looking strong. Six-lengths separated first to last at the top of the SAR stretch and Hallelujah looked to be coming with his run but Overspender (6.40) found room from his inside draw and tried to make a run, only to be shut off again when asked. Sweeping down the middle of the track was Moon Landing (5.80), who employed a similar run to last year but this time, he was able to run down stablemate Overspender, who found desperate room late, and score by a hard fought neck. Oversell It (8.45) came wide to complete a Mb Stables trifecta with Generals Companion hanging on for fourth over Hallelujah, who failed to make late gains. West Northwest and Texas Sky Hawk stalled with Power And Money (12.25), Captain Rush (8.70), Domination Nation, Speedballz (107.70), Trench Admiral and Fly Millennium (19.00) all within a length of each other, beating only Mazula Ruler (35.40) who trailed in last throughout.

Moon Landing is a very good four-year-old and led home a trio of stablemates in the Forego, as a logical precursor to starts in the Grade I Vosburgh and the Grade I BC Sprint. Whether six-furlongs is his best distance is yet to be seen but he will certainly be closing late and could make a case for championship honours with more good efforts.

Congratulations goes out to owner Mb Stables and their four-year-old gelding Moon Landing, a charging winner of the Grade I Forego at SAR!

Prediction                       Hallelujah / Fly Millennium / Moon Landing

Winner                            Moon Landing

                                           Four-year-old bay gelding

                                           Laffin Moon-Britnei (Northern Ruler)

Owner                              Mb Stables

Time                                 22.68, 45.45, 1:09.28, 1:21.68

Overall

Moon Landing               5.80 wide run, up in time

Overspender                    6.40 found room late

Oversell It                        8.45 wide run throughout

Generals Companion   15.90 set pace, evened out

Hallelujah                       *2.35 found no late momentum

West Northwest             35.00 even effort

Texas Sky Hawk            32.10 even effort

Power And Money         12.25 no threat

Captain Rush                  8.70 no threat

Domination Nation       19.30 no threat

Speedballz                        107.70 no threat

Trench Admiral              14.65 broke sharp, faded

Fly Millennium               19.00 no threat

Mazula Ruler                   35.40 outrun

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES