Harvest Moon should have easier spot in Santa Margarita Stakes

Harvest Moon, fourth behind two 2020 champions in her last two starts, will have an easier assignment in Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita.

Harvest Moon is unlikely to have many rivals at all in the $200,000 race for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles. The race drew eight nominations.

Trainer Jonathan Wong said Keeper Ofthe Stars may be held out of the Santa Margarita in favor of the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares on May 31. Keeper Ofthe Stars won the 2020 Gamely.

Warren’s Showtime could run in the Santa Margarita or the Fran’s Valentine Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares on turf on May 9, trainer Craig Lewis said.

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Bob Baffert said in a text message Sunday that he may start As Time Goes By, who was second to 2020 champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver in the Beholder Mile, and Crystal Ball, the winner of an allowance race on April 2.

Harvest Moon was beaten by Monomoy Girl, the 2020 champion older dirt female, in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland last November.

In her 2021 debut, Harvest Moon was fourth in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on March 13, seven lengths behind Swiss Skydiver.

Harvest Moon was second for the first six furlongs of the Beholder Mile before fading from contention.

“We were definitely a little disappointed,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “She seems to have done well since the race. She probably needed the race.”

Owned by Michael Tabor and Alice Bamford, Harvest Moon worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Sunday, although Callaghan timed her in 1:00.80.

“I was happy with the way she looked,” Callaghan said.

Harvest Moon was given a workout on the weekend of April 10-11, Callaghan said, although the exercise was not officially recorded.

Leading rider Flavien Prat is booked to ride Harvest Moon, a two-time stakes winner last year.