Moonstrocity back with maidens after Blue Grass whiff
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The Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes understandably proved to be well beyond the scope for Moonstrocity, whose half-court heave into Kentucky Derby contention came up well short. Nevertheless, the Tiz the Law colt could get his first victory in the sixth race on Friday at Gulfstream Park, a $68,000 maiden special weight at a mile on dirt.
“[Jon Ebbert of Blue Rose Farm] wanted to take a peek and take the swing there, and it just didn’t pan out,” trainer Jena Antonucci said of the Blue Grass. “We didn’t have the pace scenario we were hoping for. It was what it was. Let’s go back and get reorganized.“
Before his 37 3/4-length defeat at Keeneland behind Further Ado, Moonstrocity ran twice for Antonucci at Gulfstream. He finished eighth on the grass in his debut and improved on dirt Feb. 28, dueling for the early lead and holding for third with a 69 Beyer Speed Figure.
Moonstrocity was always going to be up against it jumping into a prep for the Kentucky Derby in April, but his connections were understandably eager to take the chance with the improving 3-year-old.
On March 27, Moonstrocity zipped through a five-furlong workout in one minute flat, one of several sharp efforts in the morning this year. Distance has never been an issue either, as Antonucci debuted him in routes and always suspected he would appreciate going longer.
“There’s just so much about how he moves and who he is – the pedigree and just everything about him,” Antonucci said. “He’s taken so much time. We had him as a young horse, sending him back home to let him grow up some more. He’s just a big, stretchy kid that just was going to need the ground.”
Back in maiden company Friday, Moonstrocity will likely earn favoritism among an evenly matched group of contenders. Bettors are almost certain to take the trip to Keeneland as a sign of confidence from the connections. At the very least, he will have a better chance to improve on the form he showed in February.
The Pulse is expected to be Moonstrocity’s main rival, and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will run him without blinkers after a pair of encouraging performances with the equipment. In his fourth start on April 18, he overcame a troubled beginning and rallied from the back of the field to finish second with a 73 Beyer. He has never finished out of the money.
Luz de Guia, one of two 4-year-olds in the field of six, has finished third in three straight starts for Nick Zito. He remained with the trainer after a $50,000 claim was voided last time out and will step back up to maiden special weight company at a new route distance.
Wordondastreet, the other 4-year-old, will switch from synthetic to dirt for trainer Amzadali Jehaludi. He will complete the field alongside the Carlos David-trained first-time starter Give It Time and Maxxander, who finished second by a neck at Tampa Bay Downs last month for Jose D’Angelo.
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