Moment Is Right shows guts in Astoria win

ELMONT, N.Y. – After a delay caused when Tonasah ran off prior to the start, Moment Is Right sped clear early beneath Joel Rosario and turned back a stretch bid from 7-10 favorite Decked Out to win Thursday’s $237,500 Astoria Stakes by a length and one-half.

Coming off a lengthy debut victory against males at Gulfstream Park under a 10-pound apprentice rider, Moment Is Right was picking up 15 pounds, but the Medaglia d’Oro filly handled the additional weight with no problem and was moving away from Decked Out nearing the wire.

“She broke nicely and she has speed so she went right to the lead,” said Rosario. “It’s five and one-half furlongs, so it’s a short distance, but you always have to save a little bit for the end. When she saw the other horse coming to her, she responded and ran again. It was a really good race for her. She doesn’t look like she goes that fast. She’s got a long stride. She covers a lot of ground, but she never looks like she’s going that quickly.”

Moment Is Right stopped the timer in 1:04.77 over a fast main track and earned $150,000 for owner Ten Broeck Farm and trainer Wesley Ward. She paid $4.70 to win.

“It was a short field but she showed a lot of heart, you know,” said Ward. “She busted out there, and when that filly came by her, she dug right in and went by her, so we’re excited. She’s been very well schooled, she’s never had an issue, never any problems. Probably Saratoga is next for her. We’ll look there, maybe one of the first couple of stakes they got there, and kind of take a look at it.”

Decked Out was second by five lengths over One Minute, with La Nina two lengths farther back to complete the four-horse field.

Tonasah ran off prior to the start and was loose for several minutes before finally being corralled.

Little Cherie was scratched earlier in the day.

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