By the Moon enjoying extended stay before Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – By the Moon was flown to Santa Anita from her New York base on Oct. 4, a full month prior to the Breeders’ Cup. It’s a different approach – the vast majority of shippers don’t arrive until much later – but owner Samantha Siegel and trainer Michelle Nevin thought it was a good idea for a filly who figures as one of the fringe contenders Saturday in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint.

“It was Michelle’s decision to send her out here so early,” said Siegel. “She wanted to get her acclimated and not have to deal later on with the weather and the travel arrangements. She’s settled in really well and couldn’t be doing any better.”

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In her latest start, By the Moon finished second at 12-1 in the Grade 1 Ballerina on the Aug. 27 Travers card at Saratoga. Haveyougoneaway was the 10-1 winner, while Carina Mia was third as the even-money favorite. It looms as the key race toward the seven-furlong Filly and Mare Sprint, as Haveyougoneaway and Carina Mia are expected to vie for favoritism, with By the Moon among those next in line in one of the most competitive events of the entire 2016 Breeders’ Cup.

By the Moon, a 4-year-old by Malibu Moon, took up residence in the barn of Siegel’s California-based trainer, Ron Ellis. Tomesh Singh, Nevin’s assistant, oversaw her daily care, with Nevin arriving here Sunday night. Siegel and Nevin were on hand to watch By the Moon go through her final prerace breeze Monday with Singh aboard. Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch caught her going a half-mile in 50.98 seconds.

“I thought she looked just great,” said Nevin. “We just wanted her to stretch her legs. She was relaxed and well within herself. She’s doing just fabulous.”

Nevin also has Paulassilverlining in the Filly and Mare Sprint for owner-breeder Vince Scuderi of New York. Paulassilverlining won the Oct. 1 Gallant Bloom as the favorite under John Velazquez, who will stick with Haveyougoneaway in the Filly and Mare Sprint for trainer Tom Morley. Nevin has opted to give Joe Talamo the mount on Paulassilverlining.

Talamo, 26, will become a father any day now. His wife, Elizabeth, is due with their first child this week.