Harvest Moon Steps Up to Take Torrey Pines
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Harvest Moon wins the Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar
Alice Bamford and Michael Tabor's Harvest Moon made her stakes debut a winning one, running down the pacesetter to take the $100,500 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) Aug. 22 at Del Mar.
The Torrey Pines, a mile event for 3-year-old fillies, followed victories by Harvest Moon in a July 27 allowance optional claimer at Del Mar and a July 3 maiden special weight at Los Alamitos Race Course. Trainer Simon Callaghan sent the Uncle Mo daughter out against winners for her June 12 debut at Santa Anita Park, where she finished third.
"We were delighted. This filly means a lot because I trained the mother, which gives it a little extra sentiment," Callaghan said after the Torrey Pines. "She's an exciting, big filly that we've been super patient with, and it's great that she's coming into doing what she's doing."
Harvest Moon is out of the Shamardal mare Qaraaba, an English import Callaghan conditioned toward the end of her career. In Qaraaba's last race, she won the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita. She also produced Sands Point Stakes (G2T) winner Californiagoldrush.
The 3-2 favorite, Harvest Moon was fourth early under Flavien Prat as Secret Keeper opened with a quarter-mile in :22.13. Provocation moved up from second to run a half in :45.93, and Harvest Moon was up into third. Secret Keeper then took back over to lead three-quarters in 1:11.16 with Harvest Moon a length behind in second.
Harvest Moon continued to chip away at Secret Keeper's lead in the stretch before pulling ahead to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The final time on the fast track was 1:36.87.
"It was perfect. She was nice and relaxed, and I knew they were running very fast up front," Prat said. "She's got speed if you want it, though. Last time I hardly asked her to run. Today, she was just waiting on me. She won it very nicely."
Secret Keeper was second, 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Paige Anne in third. Aurelia Garland, Provocation, and Sheza Girly Girl completed the order of finish.
Harvest Moon improved her earnings to $120,720. She was bred in Kentucky by Bamford and is the third winner from as many starters out of her dam. Qaraaba also has a 2-year-old Munnings colt named Mr. Impossible, who is unraced but worked two furlongs in :26 3/5 July 11 at Los Alamitos, and a yearling colt by Air Force Blue .