By the Moon, Gypsy Judy clash in Caesar’s Wish

The most anticipated match-up in the four $100,000 stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday will take place in the Caesar’s Wish, a one-turn mile race for 3-year-old fillies.

Grade 1 Frizette winner By the Moon will make her second start of the year against Gypsy Judy, who scored an emphatic victory at Laurel in the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes on Feb. 16. The race also has drawn Wide Country runner-up Hot City Girl and fifth-place finisher Lake Sebago, who didn’t fire her best shot under the testing conditions that existed at Laurel on Presidents’ Day.

The other stakes on the Saturday card are the Private Terms, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, and a pair of races for 3-year-olds and up, the Harrison Johnson Memorial at 1 1/8 miles and the Conniver, a seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares.

By the Moon showed a great deal of promise during her 2-year-old season for the Jay Em Ess Stable of Samantha Siegel and trainer Michelle Nevin. She won first time out at Saratoga, was second over sloppy going to Condo Commando in the Grade 1 Spinaway, and then won the Frizette at Belmont Park in the slop.

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Following an eighth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, By the Moon was freshened by Nevin before returning in the Grade 2 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24. She launched a four-wide move on the far turn of that seven-furlong race, opened a clear lead in upper stretch, but flattened out in the final furlong and finished fifth.

“She had had some time off and might not have been 100 percent tight,” Nevin said by phone Thursday of the Forward Gal. “She’s been training forwardly ever since.”

By the Moon may have been asked for her best run too early in the Forward Gal. She has had six works since and should be a handful Saturday.

Gypsy Judy drew off to win the Wide Country by 3 1/4 lengths over front-running Hot City Girl. It should be noted Gypsy Judy received a perfect stalking trip outside horses that day and was racing on the better part of the track.

Lake Sebago, the 6-5 favorite in the wide Country, raced closer to the inner rail, where the footing appeared deeper, and has every right to rebound Saturday, possibly at a price.

Private Terms wide open

The six-horse Private Terms appears to be anyone’s race.

Bodhisattva was beaten a half-length while fourth in a blanket finish in the one-mile Miracle Wood at Laurel on Presidents’ Day. He was allowed to set a slow pace that day, and while he may find himself on the lead again, will likely have to work harder early.

Combat Driver closed well to be second, beaten a nose, in the Miracle Wood. He launched his rally wide on the better part of the track.

The field includes Bridget’s Big Luvy, an October maiden winner at Belmont who most recently finished a well-beaten fifth in the Hutcheson Stakes. He adds blinkers for his first try beyond seven furlongs.