Oaklawn Park: Kiss Moon has versatility in her favor

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer David Vance is not going to over-think the pace scenario Saturday when he sends out the undefeated Kiss Moon in the $100,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park. Kiss Moon has shown versatility, having rallied to win her debut and then winning on the lead in her second start.

She’s part of a 10-horse field that includes Ireland, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Dublin; Street Story, winner of the $100,000 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn; and Redgrass Cat, who captured last year’s $50,000 Donnie Wilhite Memorial at Louisiana Downs.

The Martha Washington, a one-mile race that will end at the sixteenth pole, is the first route race in Oaklawn’s stakes series for 3-year-old fillies. It offers its winner 10 preference points for the Kentucky Oaks on a system administered by Churchill Downs. The second- through fourth-place finishers in the Martha Washington will also earn points, on a scale of 4-2-1.

Kiss Moon closed from ninth to win her debut in a maiden special weight sprint at Turfway Park on Dec. 13. She moved to two turns for her second start Jan. 11, and romped by 9 1/2 lengths in the first-level allowance at a mile at Oaklawn.

“I was kind of surprised she did that on the lead off her first race,” Vance said. “She found herself there, and it didn’t bother me. Her mother and her sister both ran on the lead, but I didn’t expect her to be there.

“Wherever she puts herself Saturday is where she’ll be. We’re not making special plans.”

Kiss Moon could get a tracking trip off the rail-drawn Euphrosyne, a front-running six-length Fair Grounds maiden winner. Terry Thompson rides Kiss Moon from post 4. Channing Hill has the mount on Euphrosyne for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Others who figure to be prominent include Ireland, coming off a front-running maiden special weight win over older rivals, and possibly Street Story, who is making her two-turn debut.

Kiss Moon races for her breeder, Carl F. Pollard. She’s a daughter of Malibu Moon, and her dam, Grade 3 winner Kiss the Devil, has produced a multiple stakes winner in Kiss Mine, an earner of nearly $500,000.

Aside from form and pedigree, Kiss Moon also has a hot barn in her favor, as Vance has gone 4 for 11 at the young meet at Oaklawn.