Madison's Luna has no problem in Hutcheson

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Phil Bauer picked up his first win at Gulfstream Park after sending out the undefeated Madison’s Luna to an eye-catching, five-length victory over Soutache in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade 3 Hutcheson.

Madison’s Luna, a son of Tapit owned by Rigney Racing, won his only previous start at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 10. But the jump in class to graded stakes company proved no obstacle for the promising youngster.

With Julien Leparoux aboard, Madison’s Luna rated off a contested early pace, circled horses while advancing strongly on the turn, readily took control entering the stretch, quickly drew well clear and was never seriously threatened thereafter despite lugging in a tad and racing a bit greenly through midstretch.

Soutache, who won two of the three legs of the 2017 Florida Sire Series before going to the sidelines in late September, ran well in his return, rallying widest on the bend before finishing willingly to best the others. Tricks to Doo, who was hard-used disputing the pace with Belle Tapisserie, checked home a tiring third while Impact Player was never a serious factor as the 8-5 favorite.

Madison’s Luna covered six furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.45 and returned $11.00.

“He left me a little surprised in his maiden win at Tampa and I was maybe a little surprised how he did it today,” Bauer said. “It was a pretty honest pace and you always get excited when they come to the quarter pole in that manner, and I was really excited when Julien cut him loose and he put a few on them and then maintained it. He carries his head up to the right and when he picks up speed it gets higher, but Julien said it’s just a Tapit thing.”

Bauer said the Pat Day Mile would be next for Madison’s Luna.

“I think he’ll stretch out, you saw how he can relax behind horses,” Bauer said. “That’s the race I’ve kind of been pointing for with him all along.”