Moonshine Memories took control of Saturday’s $300,690 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) from the start and never looked back under jockey Flavien Prat.
The Simon Callaghan trainee proceeded to set swift splits of :21.97, :44.85 and 1:09.90 before finally seeing a challenger in Piedi Bianchi. That one wasn’t able to mount much of a threat, though, as Moonshine Memories posted a half-length victory in a final time of 1:23.61 for seven furlongs on the fast main track.
Sent off the 5-1 four choice in the field of seven, Moonshine Memories paid $13.40 for scoring her second straight win.
Piedi Bianchi was the 18-1 second longest shot on the board and had 5 1/4 lengths to spare on Spectator in third. Dancing Belle followed in fourth while 9-5 favorite Just a Smidge, Poetic and Gabrielleelizabeth completed the order under the wire.
Campaigned by Bridlewood Farm, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor, Moonshine Memories wheeled back here off just two weeks’ rest after capturing her maiden debut on August 19 at Del Mar by a length. The bay daughter of Malibu Moon is now a perfect two-for-two in her career having accumulated $216,000 in lifetime earnings.
Bred by Summer Wind Farm in Kentucky, Moonshine Memories is out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Unenchantedevening, making her a half-sister to Grade 2-placed Indian Evening and stakes-placed Mo for the Money.
Moonshine Memories’ second dam is the Grade 3-placed stakes-winning Medieval Man mare Evil Elaine, best known for producing 1997 Horse of the Year and champion two-year-old colt Favorite Trick.
DEL MAR DEBUTANTE QUOTES
Simon Callaghan, trainer Moonshine Memories, winner
“We were actually looking for any small excuse not to run her back (in two weeks). There was no pressure from the owners. This filly just did everything you’d want from a horse in between (starts). She showed in the paddock, her disposition and how calm she was, is something you can’t instill in them, it’s within them.
“(During the race) I liked the way she was traveling within herself, but then you look at the fractions and you get a little worried. She just kept running potential rivals off and she was all heart at the end.”
Flavien Prat, jockey Moonshine Memories, winner
“No special instructions for me today; (trainer Simon Callaghan) said ‘She’s got speed; get her away from there and find a spot.’ She was cruising out there today. Just cruising. She’s a nice filly. And I think she’ll definitely run on.”
Mario Gutierrez, jockey Piedi Bianchi, second
“That was a good late run from her. She’s getting better. Improving all the time.”
Jamie Theriot, jockey Spectator, third
“She stumbled coming away from there and grabbed a quarter. (Cut herself up front.) She was swapping leads on the backside and I couldn’t figure out why. Afterwards I knew. But she fought through the pain and came running late. Good effort for her.”
Kent Desormeaux, jockey Dancing Belle, fourth
“She gave it a try.”
Rafael Bejarano, jockey Just a Smidge, fifth
“She just didn’t pick it up late. It wasn’t there.”
Mike Smith, jockey Poetic, sixth
“You just can’t close on this track. She couldn’t today.”
