Moonlit Song seeks Fancy Buckles repeat

Moonlit Song, the reigning West Virginia-bred Horse of the Year, returns to stakes competition Saturday night at Charles Town, where she meets rising talent Noblame in the $50,000 Fancy Buckles.

The 4 1/2-furlong stakes is restricted to fillies and mares bred in West Virginia. There are 10 in the body of the race and three on the also-eligible list, with Sassafras Springs needing one defection to join her half-sisters Unaquoi and Nellysford in the Fancy Buckles.

Moonlit Song went 8 for 11 last year at 3, and among her five stakes wins were the Fancy Buckles and the West Virginia Cavada Breeders Classic. She launched her 4-year-old season April 4, winning an open-company allowance over 4 1/2 furlongs at Charles Town. It was her first out since Nov. 11.

“We took her home,” said trainer Tim Grams. “We wanted to give her a break. We didn’t want to keep her in training all winter and thought it was the time to give her time. We went back to the track mid-February. She trained really well.

“You never know if you’re bringing the same horse back, and she ran like she never went home.”

Grams bred and owns Moonlit Song with his wife, Judy. The filly will break from post 9 under Christian Hiraldo.

“I would like to stretch her out after this,” said Grams.

Noblame has won two stakes at Charles Town and will be taking on older rivals for the first time Saturday.

“She’s a really fast filly,” said trainer Joe Sharp. “Speed is what you need at Charles Town, especially going 4 1/2.”

Noblame will break from post 10 under J.D. Acosta.