Moment of Delight leads throughout in Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview

MIAMI, Fla. - What a difference nearly a year makes.

Ten months after finishing 13 lengths behind You Bought Her in the 2016 Sunshine Millions Distaff, Moment of Delight proved she’s a much-improved filly by holding off You Bought Her for a well-deserved half-length win in Saturday’s $100,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff Preview at Gulfstream Park West.

Moment of Delight went to the sidelines following her ninth-place finish in the Sunshine Distaff, returning five months later with her new trainer, Stanley Gold, to win the restricted Boca Chica Stakes in impressive fashion early this summer at Gulfstream Park.

She finished second against open competition in her only subsequent start before leading throughout under jockey Eddie Castro and turning back 6-5 favorite You Bought Her in the Distaff Preview.

The well-traveled You Bought Her, beaten a head by Mom Z Laugh across town last winter in the Sunshine Distaff, had every chance to overtake Moment of Delight through the stretch, but could not get past the leader after moving within close contention nearest the rail at the head of the lane.

Lucky Switch finished another 2 1/2 lengths farther back for third, after making a mild run from the rear of the eight-horse field on the final turn.

Moment of Delight, a 4-year-old daughter of A. P. Warrior and owned by the partnership of Pinnacle Racing and Normal Stables LLC, completed seven furlongs over the fast track in 1:22.65 and paid $5.00.

“She’s a super filly to have and Stanley is an amazing trainer,” said Adam Lazarus, managing partner of Pinnacle Racing. “The one thing missing from her resume’ is hitting the board in a graded stakes race. We’ve got to figure out a way to do that, without interrupting the Sunshine Millions.”

Lazarus was referring to the 2017 Sunshine Millions Distaff to be decided at Gulfstream on Jan. 21.