Surging Rhea Moon Secures Grade 1 Win in American Oaks
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Rhea Moon wins the American Oaks at Santa Anita Park
Stepped up to grade 1 company for the first time, Rhea Moon proved up to the challenge as she surged from fifth in the final furlong Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park to post a victory by a head over stablemate School Dance in the $303,000 American Oaks (G1T) for 3-year-old fillies.
The top two finishers are both trained by Philip D'Amato. Guided by Juan Hernandez, Rhea Moon completed the 1 1/4-mile test in 2:00.75 on firm turf to secure her third straight win and second straight graded stakes victory.
"She's improving every race," Hernandez said. "She showed up today to do it again."
Campaigned by Rockingham Ranch and Talla Racing, Rhea Moon managed just a maiden win in her first half-dozen starts before finding her best stride to close out this season. She rallied from seventh to win an Aug. 21 allowance-level race at Del Mar. The daughter of Starspangledbanner then tried stakes company for the first time and delivered a clear victory in the Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) Oct. 29 at Santa Anita.
Salimah , a stakes winner for owner Stephanie Seymour Brant and trainer Chad Brown, was sent off as the 5-2 favorite in her first West Coast start. The daughter of El Kabeir secured the early lead and maintained that advantage to the top of the stretch before fading to seventh.
D'Amato decided to strike while the iron was hot, entering Rhea Moon in the field of 11 fillies for the American Oaks. Rhea Moon started from post 1 and saved ground as Salimah led through a half-mile in :48.31. Rhea Moon raced in ninth early, and waited for racing room while two-wide in the far turn. Moved into the clear, Rhea Moon quickly moved past rivals before wearing down her stablemate late.
"I think going a mile-and-a-quarter, the one hole was an advantage," D'Amato said. "Juan took advantage, just saving every inch of ground and getting her out in time. He gets a lot of credit for developing this filly."
Hernandez said D'Amato suggested saving ground and he carried out that plan and awaited an opportunity to ask the filly for her best.
"Then around the quarter pole, I started following a horse who was having a nice trip and snuck in right behind that horse to cross the finish line first," he said.
Rhea Moon and Juan Hernandez surge to victory in the American Oaks
Rhea Moon returned $15.60, $7.60, and $5.20 across the board. School Dance, a former claiming horse who thrived Monday in her first career stakes start, paid $10.80 to place and $7.60 to show. The top two were followed home by Sparkle Blue , who delivered $6.80 to show.
Rhea Moon started her career in Europe before being purchased privately after placing in her first two starts in Ireland. She is the first stakes winner for her dam, Callisto Star by Fastnet Rock . Callisto Star has produced two winners from as many starters.