By the Moon Romps Clear in Caesar's Wish
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Jay Em Ess Stable's homebred By the Moon returned to the winner's circle after posting an easy four-length decision in the $100,000 Caesar's Wish Stakes March 21 at Laurel Park .
Racing in second while tracking the pace of longshot Country Mamma, By the Moon grabbed the lead after a half-mile was run in :48.79, before turning it on through the lane to post a four-length victory, running the mile in 1:38.20 over the sealed, muddy track.
"She broke really good," said winning jockey Victor Carrasco. "I didn't want to get too close to the leader. I thought the key to the race was to sit behind (Country Mamma) and wait. I was waiting on (Horacio) Karamanos (aboard second-choice Gypsy Judy). When I looked back on the turn and I didn't see him coming, so I said lets go. She finished up real well."
Sent off at 4-5 in the field of seven, By the Moon was winning for the third time from six career starts, pushing her earnings to $485,440. Last October, the daughter of Indian Charlie became a grade I winner when she took the Frizette Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
"She's all class," said Carrasco, who was riding the 3-year-old filly for the first time in his career.
Maiden winner Been Here Before easily held off Gypsy Judy for second. The field was completed by Hot City Girl, Country Mamma, Lake Sebago, and the 93-1 longshot Mytrack Marie, who trailed throughout in the seven-horse field.
By the Moon was bred in Kentucky by Samantha Siegel, who operates Jay Em Ess Stable. The winner is out of By the Light, by Malibu Moon .
"It starts her off on the right track," said Larry Kelly, the assistant to trainer Michelle Nevin. "Obviously, she's a grade I winner. We'll place her forwardly and have some fun with her this year. The cooler weather really picked her up. In order to move forward in some of these big races, she is going to have to handle two turns. But I really don't see it as a problem. She is bred for it."
By the Moon broke her maiden in her debut at Saratoga Race Course on July 18 before finishing second behind Condo Commando in the Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga on Aug. 31.
After upsetting the field in the Frizette Stakes (gr. I) October at Belmont, By the Moon finished eighth in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
She made her 3-year-old debut on Jan. 24 in the Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park where she weakened to fifth.
By the Moon returned $3.80 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Been Here Before paid $6 to place and $3.40 to show, while Gypsy Judy returned $2.40 to show.