By the Moon eyes Belmont spring stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Last Saturday, Michelle Nevin watched with pride as her former charge Paulassilverlining won the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland. A few hours earlier, Nevin’s Grade 1-winning mare By the Moon returned to the work tab with a half-mile move in 50.88 seconds.

The work was the first for By the Moon since she was beaten a neck by High Ridge Road in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park on Feb. 18. Nevin said she backed off By the Moon after that race and gave the filly a break.

By the Moon has run some of her best races at Belmont Park, including a victory in the Grade 1 Frizette at 2 and a neck loss at odds of 30-1 in the Grade 1 Acorn. Last June, she won the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses there.

There are ample opportunities for By the Moon at Belmont, including the Grade 3, $200,000 Vagrancy going 6 1/2 furlongs on May 5 or the Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian going a mile on May 13.

“Haven’t made any plans yet, but I’m sure we’re going to start looking soon,” Nevin said.

Meanwhile, Nevin said she was happy to see Paulassilverlining become a Grade 1 winner in the Madison. Nevin had won six stakes with Paulassilverlining before the mare was purchased privately this year by Juddmonte Farms and transferred to Chad Brown. In the post-race interview, Brown credited Nevin for the job she did with the mare.

“It was very nice of him to say that,” Nevin said. “I was really delighted for her. She’s such a good, honest filly. She really lays it down. She tries so hard. It was great to see her win that race.”