Kiss Moon prevails by head in Mint Julep

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kiss Moon notched the first graded stakes win of her career Saturday at Churchill Downs, running down favored I’m Already Sexy to take the Grade 3,$100,000 Mint Julep Handicap.

Patiently handled by jockey Corey Lanerie, Kiss Moon stalked the pace in third for much of the race, sitting just off a lively pace by Maid on a Mission and I’m Already Sexy. Leaving the far turn, Kiss Moon made her move to go after I’m Already Sexy, who had shaken clear up front. Gradually, Kiss Moon cut into that lead, and after collaring I’m Already Sexy inside the sixteenth pole, outdueled that rival by a head in a stirring finish.

“I might have let him creep up there too long,” Lanerie said of jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. on I’m Already Sexy. “But my filly proved she was the best today.”

The winner, a 4-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon owned by Carl Pollard and trained by David Vance, raced 1 1/16 miles on a firm, sun-baked turf course in 1:40.94. She paid $19.40.

Strike Charmer rallied to be third, 1 1/4 lengths behind the top pair, edging Kitty Wine by a half length.

Canny Nanny was pulled up by jockey Joe Rocco Jr. on the final turn with an apparent injury.