Bad-trip Moon Dazzle returns

ELMONT, N.Y. - Moon Dazzle, who has been on every trip handicapper's Stable Mail list for the past month, makes her second U.S. start and looms the one to beat in Friday's eighth race.

Scheduled for one mile on the Widener turf course, the $48,000 second-level allowance drew nine turf-meant fillies and mares, along with two entered for the main track only.

, whose two career victories include a nose win in the $150,000 Balanchine Stakes in Dubai this year, was sidelined for nearly six months following an eighth-place finish in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free back in March. She was made a 6-5 favorite for her U.S. debut on Sept. 22, and finished fast for second after lacking room on the inside and altering course too late.

Trainer Christophe Clement was sufficiently impressed by that performance to enter Moon Dazzle in last Saturday's Athenia Handicap, but scratched the 4-year-old Kingmambo filly when that race was rained off to a muddy main track.

"She ran very well in the allowance race," said Clement. "She was boxed in much of the way and finished well."

Moon Dazzle breaks from post 5 with Edgar Prado, and will face pressure from both flanks, with Joyful Jackie and Jacaranda Jane to her inside, and Go Robin and Sagitta Ra to her outside.

was running in maiden claiming races at Monmouth Park back in June, but has improved in every start since trainer Patricia Farro added blinkers to her equipment. She comes off a front-running allowance win at Delaware Park, and might be the one to catch under Mike Luzzi.

Jacaranda Jane also steps up off an entry-level allowance win, finishing strongly to score at 1 1/8 miles on the inner course on opening weekend of the meet.

has not started in 375 days, but showed considerable promise last year. After winning her first two starts on turf, she finished second by a half-length in the Boiling Springs and was a rallying fourth in the Pebbles before going to the sidelines. She has been working steadily at Monmouth Park for trainer Mark Hennig.

Sagitta Ra, who won her preliminary allowance condition here in June, has finished in the money in both of her starts at this level.

Completing the field are Inter Galactic, Sea Mistress, Pommes Frites, and Sky Cover.

Trainer Richard Dutrow entered Carmandia and Aspen Tree for the main track only.