Michelline, Moon Over Miami score in Kentucky Downs stakes

A couple of searing stretch runs resulted in mild upsets Thursday in the fading sunset of south-central Kentucky as a couple of rich stakes for 3-year-olds were contested over firm going and at the once-around distance of 1 5/16 miles at turf-only Kentucky Downs.

A quick rundown of each:

Moon Over Miami ($16) wins DG Derby

Launching a flashy rally after having only a few of his 11 rivals beaten most of the way, Moon Over Miami collared Big Dreaming with about a furlong remaining en route to his first stakes triumph in the $707,625 Dueling Grounds Derby.

With Javier Castellano up, Moon Over Miami emerged a half-length winner over Big Dreaming, who led most of the way at 24-1. Bred and owned by Summer Wind Farm, the bay colt by Malibu Moon returned $16 after finishing in 2:06.76.

“I had a beautiful trip,” said Castellano. “I think the key was a lot of patience – ride with a lot of confidence and patience and it’s going to pay off. I tried to save all the ground as best I could around the first turn and let it develop little by little on the backside and get him a clear trip. And that’s exactly what I did with the horse.”

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Big Dreaming, ridden by Chris Landeros, held second by another 3 3/4 lengths over Shamrocket, while Bama Breeze, the lukewarm 4-1 favorite, was never a factor when seventh.

Moon Over Miami now has won 3 of 9 starts. His previous claim to fame was giving his Hall of Fame trainer his 5,000th career triumph by winning a June 20 allowance over the Churchill Downs turf.

Kenny McCarthy, Mott’s longtime Kentucky-based assistant, was on hand from Churchill in representing the stable.

Micheline ($22) in DG Oaks

Getting a well-timed ride from Joel Rosario, Micheline was along with an outside rush to nail 11-10 favorite Harvey’s Lil Goil by a neck in the final jumps of the $453,000 Dueling Grounds Oaks.

Trained by Mike Stidham for owner-breeder Godolphin Racing, Micheline finished in 2:06.41 after rallying from well back in a field of 11 fillies. Harvey’s Lil Goil, who dominated most of the running under Jose Ortiz, was another length ahead of 29-1 shot Luck Money in third.

“I thought I was never going to catch [Ortiz],” said Rosario. “But she kept trying. I was riding, and she kept trying.”

Micheline, a Kentucky-bred by Bernardini, now has won 4 of 11 career starts. She owns two prior stakes wins, the Sorority at 2 and the Honey Ryder at 3, both of those also ungraded. Her 10-1 score continued a recent tear for Godolphin and Stidham, as they teamed last weekend to win the Jim Dandy at Saratoga with Mystic Guide and the Del Mar Derby with Pixelate.

The start of the Oaks was delayed more than 30 minutes from scheduled post time because of a power outage in the television-control room.

* Three of six days remain at the Kentucky Downs meet – Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday. Churchill Downs runs the balance of its split September meet Sept. 17-27.