Backed by strong pedigree, Regal Moment makes turf debut

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – There’s lots to like pedigree-wise regarding Regal Moment when she makes her first grass start in Thursday’s Woodbine headliner, a nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance and $40,000 claimer. With blinkers added, it will be interesting to see how far her speed takes her on the inner course in the two-turn mile.

Regal Moment had a three-race juvenile campaign last fall under the guidance of trainer Stuart Simon. After taking her seven-furlong debut from off the pace, she fought for the lead before holding on for second in an Ontario-sired allowance route, then finished sixth after setting a pokey early pace in the restricted Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

Regal Moment never threatened when seventh in her 6 1/2-furlong season opener May 24. She moved out to 1 1/16 miles in another Ontario-sired allowance most recently, finishing a chalky second after getting pressed through soft fractions.

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Regal Moment is by the Grade 1-winning turfer Point of Entry, who has sired 12 percent turf winners. Her dam took the one-mile Ontario Damsel Stakes here on the main turf and has produced the Grade 3-placed turf marathoner English Conqueror. Her second dam, Classic Stamp, captured the Grade 2 Canadian here on the main course.

Jose Campos replaces the suspended Fraser Aebly on Regal Moment. Campos has finished third or better on five of eight rides at the meet for Simon while scoring once.

The seven-horse field also includes More Money Hunny, Just Magnificent, and Nikita’s Gem.

More Money Hunny has been competitive in the majority of her five grass outings, ending up second in a $35,000 conditioned claimer at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 20. She ran twice here on the Tapeta in the spring, finishing second ahead of two next-out winners at this level June 1.

Meet-leading Pietro Moran inherits the mount from Aebly on More Money Hunny, a daughter of Mendelssohn trained by Josie Carroll.

Just Magnificent had a wide trip while closing from sixth to beat Ontario-sired maidens going seven-eighths on the Tapeta in her second race back from a fall/winter layoff June 19. The 4-year-old competed twice on the inner turf last year, finishing second to the future Grade 3 Santa Anita stakes winner Rashmi in the best of those outings in September.

Ryan Munger will ride Just Magnificent again for trainer Evette Chartrand-Hoek.

Nikita’s Gem possesses positive inner turf experience and could be sitting on an improved performance in her third run of the season. She was second in three consecutive starts at this level last summer, most notably behind the subsequent Wonder Where Stakes winner Hurricane Clair. One of her better races was a close fourth in the restricted Ashbridges Bay Stakes on Nov. 17 over Tapeta, when she earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

Sofia Vives will get a leg up on Nikita’s Gem from Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Sid Attard.

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