Map of the Moon stays unbeaten in Gowell Stakes
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The promising filly Map of the Moon established herself as a candidate for stakes moving forward at Turfway Park as she kicked the year off by winning the $125,000 Gowell Stakes on Thursday night to remain unbeaten.
The Gowell was the first stakes for newly turned 3-year-olds this season in Kentucky, and was the feature on the first day of the winter-spring meet at Turfway. The Florence, Ky., track officially divides its four-month stand on the circuit into two meets – the holiday meet, which ran through December, and this winter-spring meet, which runs through March 28, with a focus on the sophomore set.
Map of the Moon ($4.04) is trained by Kelsey Danner for NBS Stable. The Liam’s Map filly entered the Gowell unbeaten and exited the same way, following a debut win on the Keeneland turf with a score in the Stewart Manor Stakes in November on the Aqueduct turf. That sent her away favored in the field of seven on Thursday night.
Sassy C W, a multiple stakes winner sprinting on dirt, appeared fresh in her first start since Aug. 28, sprinting out of the gate and opening more than an eight-length lead through a swift opening quarter-mile of 21.24 seconds. The field began to cut into that margin after a half in 45.20, with Folk Song and Gianna in closest pursuit and Map of the Moon tracking in fourth under Adam Beschizza.
Gianna got first run at Sassy C W into the stretch, and edged clear by a half-length. Sassy C W tried to hold for a few strides but then stopped, eventually backing up to last in a race she likely needed. Meanwhile, Map of the Moon swung six-wide and was set up for a strong run. She drove past to win by 1 3/4 lengths, going away. Gianna was a clear second by 1 1/2 lengths over Folk Song.
The final time for the six furlongs on the Tapeta was 1:12.10. After earning Beyer Speed Figures of 69 for her maiden and 80 in the Stewart Manor, Map of the Moon was given a 63 for Thursday’s effort.
The Gowell was the first of three sprint stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Turfway’s winter-spring meet, followed by the $125,000 Valdale at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 7 and the $125,000 Serena’s Song at six furlongs on March 28. Fillies can also attempt to stretch out at a mile on Feb. 20 in the $175,000 Cincinnati Trophy, which awards Kentucky Oaks points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale. That race is the local prep toward the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks on a marquee March 21 card, with Oaks points available in that race on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis.
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