American Oaks win puts Rhea Moon at a higher level

A win in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita on Monday has changed the plans for race winner Rhea Moon.

Gone are plans for a start in a Grade 3 stakes such as the Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf on Feb. 4. Instead, the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on May 29 is a long-range goal, with a likely prep in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile on turf on March 4.

“That’s probably the best plan,” trainer Phil D’Amato said on Wednesday. “I think she likes to run fresh.”

Rhea Moon was raced sparingly through the second half of 2022 with excellent results. After finishing third in an allowance race at Del Mar on July 24, Rhea Moon won her next three starts – an allowance race at Del Mar on Aug. 21, the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 29, and the $303,000 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles.

In the American Oaks, Rhea Moon ($15.60) raced on the rail until early stretch when jockey Juan Hernandez moved her to the outside.

“I loved our trip,” D’Amato said. “From the rail, we saved every inch of ground. He got that seam at midstretch and got her to level off. He rode confidently down the lane and was riding like he would win without getting into her too hard.”

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The American Oaks was Rhea Moon’s final start in an age-restricted race. Races against older fillies and mares is not a concern for D’Amato.

“She is definitely on the improve, and you’ll hear from her next year,” he said. “She’s got the size and scope like a filly that should take the next step against older.”

An Irish-bred filly, Rhea Moon races for Rockingham Ranch and Michael Talla.

D’Amato had three runners in a field of 11 in the American Oaks and finished second with 11-1 School Dance and fourth with 45-1 Oakhurst. School Dance, who led in the stretch, had her stakes debut in the American Oaks.

“She didn’t have the greatest post,” D’Amato said. “She has a lot of heart and nearly took them all the way.”

The older filly and mare turf division in Southern California lacks a standout, particularly after the recent sales of Going Global and Going to Vegas, who were trained by D’Amato.

Going Global won three Grade 2 stakes in 2022 and was third in the Gamely last May. She was sold for $2.5 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in Kentucky last month to BBA Ireland and is likely to be bred in coming months.

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Going to Vegas won the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita in October and was second in the Gamely last May. Going to Vegas was sold for $1.5 million at the November Sale to Japanese breeder Katsumi Yoshida.

The Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares on Saturday may offer some clues as to other fillies and mares that can play important roles in the division next year.

D’Amato said he plans to start Burgoo Alley who won the 2021 Autumn Miss but is winless in five starts this year.

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