Ransom the Moon will prep in Santa Anita Sprint Championship

Ransom the Moon secured a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4 with a win in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at that track in July.

On Oct. 7, Ransom the Moon can solidify his status among the nation’s sprinters when he has a final prep race for the BC Sprint in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at six furlongs. The $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship is the final Grade 1 prep race for Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita’s autumn meeting.

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Ransom the Moon, owned by Mark Martinez and Jeffry Wilke, has won 3 of 4 starts since joining trainer Phil D’Amato’s stable last winter. The 5-year-old Ransom the Moon won the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs May 20 at Santa Anita and was beaten a neck by Danzing Candy in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs July 1.

“I think he's a star in the making and he has a couple of races to prove it,” D’Amato said. “He’s a head away from being undefeated in California.”

D’Amato said Ransom the Moon will have his final major exercise Sunday, a workout with jockey Flavien Prat.

The Santa Anita Sprint Championship is expected to include Calculator, Giant Expectations, Moe Candy, Mr. Hinx, Ocho Ocho Ocho, Roy H, and Well Measured.