By the Moon tries again for Grade 1 win at Spa in Ballerina

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though By the Moon is already a Grade 1 winner, her connections would like nothing more than to get a Grade 1 victory at Saratoga. Considering how well the mare has run in Grade 1 stakes here, it would seem like she is due one.

At age 2, By the Moon was second in the Spinaway, albeit beaten 13 1/4 lengths by the slop monster Condo Commando. At 3, By the Moon finished third in the Test, and last year she was second in the Ballerina.

On Saturday, By the Moon will try again in the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina, where she will take on her former stablemate Paulassilverlining, Curlin’s Approval, and Carina Mia in the seven-furlong race.

On Monday, By the Moon worked five furlongs in 1:02.62 over the Oklahoma training track, getting her final quarter in 24.96 seconds.

“She’s been doing good, been happy up here, looks like she’s ready to go back over again,” trainer Michelle Nevin said.

By the Moon is coming off a third-place finish to Paulassilverlining in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at six furlongs, a distance that might be shorter than her best.

Also working Monday for the Ballerina was Highway Star, who went a half-mile in 51.02 over the Oklahoma track in what was basically a maintenance drill, according to trainer Rodrigo Ubillo. Highway Star has not run since finishing third, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Songbird, in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont.

Others expected for the Ballerina are Dearest and Distinta.