Moonlight Special Captures Seabiscuit Handicap

By Nynl Stables on November 26, 2023

Seabiscuit Handicap (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
DMR- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
November 25, 2023

In November of last year, Moonlight Special would win the River City Handicap, but he had not been to the winner’s circle since then. After being entered in several quality stake races where his performance would be considered decent, it would also be considered underachieving. Maybe this gelding’s nickname can be November Special, because once again he stepped up, and got a much-needed victory here in the Seabiscuit Handicap. Moonlight Special is trained by Allinthegate, and it is his first win in the race. Jockey E Maldonado is a two-time winner now. Congratulations to them! Moonlight Special was not among out picks, but our top three picks did finish second, second again, and fourth! The time of the race was 1:39.07, which is among the better winning times of the race overall, and second quickest of the editions held at DMR. Let’s take a look at it now!

(1/4 Mile- :23.03)- The horses on the inside and outside of the starting gate ended up the quickest and run side by side on the lead into the first turn. For now, the lead goes to the Choppy Inc trained Area Code, and it’s no surprise to see him there based on his past. Tokugawa, trained by Fractious, is going to keep him company up there after a good break from the outside. After about two lengths, our eventual winner from Allinthegate, Moonlight Special runs side by side with Angelos Stable’s Quick Rhythm. A length behind them, it’s Viking Havoc (Riggins Racing) and Kidding (High Voltage). Genetic Code (TwinTowersRacing) leads the next group of three which also features Buffalo G (Nakamura Stables) and Aerialist (Mb Stables). Trailing is Cucamonga Sin (Asgar).

(½ Mile- :46.43)- The field moves down the backstretch with Area Code still looking comfortable at the front as he has now pulled out by a full length on Tokugawa. Moonlight Special has put away Quick Rhythm for now and has moved over to the rail to be directly behind Area Code. Quick Rhythm is still fourth, but falling into the clutches of Viking Havoc, who’s looking to make a run on the outside. Kidding runs nearby to these rivals, and it’s a length to Aerialist, Buffalo G, and Genetic Code, none of which have made a push to this point. Cucamonga Sin was two lengths further behind.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Finishing the backstretch portion of the race, we don’t see any major moves within the field, but as we hit the turn, Moonlight Special decides it’s time to make a run and moves over to be three wide. He’ll make gradual progress within the turn and hit the top of the stretch running right there with the leaders. Out front, Tokugawa is ahead for now, as he has a slight advantage over Area Code. Quick Rhythm runs fourth but is a length and a half behind those three and has a group of horses positioned to go around him. Kidding, Buffalo G, and Aerialist were all in a great spot here to make up a lot of ground. There would be a lot of work to do to grab the victory, but there’s plenty of race experience within that group. Genetic Code was losing ground, and all Cucamonga Sin has done to this point was catch up with the rest of the field.

(Finish- 1:39.07)- Early into the stretch run, Moonlight Special would take over the lead, and now all there was left to do was hold off any new challengers. Buffalo G was making the most progress, but as we got closer to the wire, Moonlight Special was running well enough to not be denied on this day! He would get a half-length victory, and Buffalo G would end up in a dead heat with Tokugawa for second. Aerialist gets the final piece of the purse, edging out Area Code and Kidding. Rounding it out, we have Cucamonga Sin, Genetic Code, Quick Rhythm, and Viking Havoc.

About The Winner- Moonlight Special, trained by Allinthegate and ridden to victory by E Maldonado, is a six-year-old gelding by Peppermint Moon and is out of the late Chai Special. He was bred in California as a yearling by Allinthegate, the only trainer for which he has ever known. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his tenth in 31 starts, his sixth stake win and second graded win. His career earnings are now $728.460.

Horse Name

Owner Name

Jockey

Odds

Fin

Time

SRF

Moonlight Special

Allinthegate

Maldonado E

11.50

1^1/2