Ransom the Moon faces only four in Kona Gold

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ransom the Moon was a surprise in 2017, when his transformation from allowance anonymity to Grade 1 winner fortified the California sprint division.

When he launches his 2018 campaign Saturday, Ransom the Moon’s reputation precedes him. No secrets this season. Ransom the Moon returns as one of California’s premier sprinters in the Grade 2 Kona Gold, a 6 1/2-furlong stakes race he won a year ago.

Five entered the Kona Gold, including graded stakes winner Calculator and a trio of stakes-placed allowance winners – Ten Blessings, Blameitonthelaw, and Bobby Abu Dhabi. Ransom the Moon is the only runner without a start this year, and not by design.

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Following a 3-for-6 campaign that included two graded stakes wins and a respectable fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Ransom the Moon was freshened. Plans called for a March 10 comeback in the Triple Bend.

Days before the race, Ransom the Moon was sidelined by an ailment in his left front foot. Trainer Phil D’Amato said a “small abscess popped out of the top of the coronet band.” The foot was treated, and Ransom the Moon resumed workouts in late March. He has not missed a beat since.

“I don’t think he lost any fitness at all,” D’Amato said. “He’s training as good as ever.”

Drawn outside, Ransom the Moon and jockey Flavien Prat figure to be forwardly placed in a sprint that is absent true heat. The Peter Miller trainees Calculator and Bobby Abu Dhabi have some speed, Ten Blessings has a forward style, and Blameitonthelaw will rally late.

The Kona Gold is race 5 of 11.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ransom the Moon, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 102-95-102

◗ Prior to being transferred to D’Amato for a 2017 California dirt campaign, Ransom the Moon had won just 2 of 15, mostly on turf and synthetic at Woodbine.

◗ D’Amato said his comeback works have been super. “Those breezes were on dead tracks,” he said. “He did it in hand and looked like he was going a hell of a lot slower. He made it look easy.”

Ten Blessings, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 99-98-102

◗ Bob Baffert trains Ten Blessings, the most accomplished foal of Indian Blessing. She was the 2007 champion juvenile filly and 2008 champion female sprinter.

◗ Ten Blessings, 5, has raced just seven times. After finishing third in the 2016 Malibu Stakes, won by Mind Your Biscuits, Ten Blessings was off for more than a year with a tibia injury followed by a shoulder injury. “Now, he’s good,” Baffert said.

◗ Ten Blessings won a second-level allowance sprint last out.

Calculator, by In Summation
Last 3 Beyers: 96-96-94

◗ He has won six races and $660,560 from 21 starts. He reportedly bled slightly while finishing third as the favorite last out in the Grade 3 Daytona on turf.

Blameitonthelaw, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 89-89-98

◗ A $4,000 supplement to the Kona Gold, Blameitonthelaw finished second last out in a $100,000 sprint stakes at Sunland after losing considerable ground while rallying wide.

Bobby Abu Dhabi, by Macho Uno
Last 3 Beyers: 103-95-81

◗ He finished second last out in the Grade 1 Triple Bend. Winner City of Light returned to win the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap.