Esperanza takes command in Iowa Stallion Filly

ALTOONA, Iowa – The favored Esperanza ($4.20) gained command from the outset and led a group of 10 3-year-old fillies the entire mile for a 2 3/4-length win in Saturday night's $63,625 Iowa Stallion Filly Stakes.

Trained by Lynn Chleborad, whose 3-year-old gelding Bad Moon took the Iowa Stallion Stakes in the previous race, Esperanza, a large Rockport Harbor filly, galloped her rivals into submission by setting testing early fractions of 23.74 seconds and 47.66 under the meet's leading rider, Ramon Vazquez. Raegen Harbor gamely chased her throughout and wound up second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Zealous Vision.

Bred in Oklahoma by Allen Poindexter, Esperanza collected $34,800 for breeder Poindexter Thoroughbreds LLC. She completed the mile in 1:40.37.

Bad Moon, who was claimed by his connections for $12,500 June 4, responded to jockey Alex Birzer's urging to claim a 1 1/4-length win in Saturday's $73,775 Iowa Stallion Stakes.

Stalking the eventual third-place finisher Holdmegold's steady pace, Bad Moon ($9.20). found plenty when asked entering the stretch and held off the rally of Desanctus.

Trained by Chleborad for owner Poindexter Thoroughbreds LLC, Bad Moon, the recipient of a 25 percent bonus as an Iowa-bred facing open company, earned $43,500. He traveled the mile and seventy yards in 1:45.58.