Santa Anita: Moone's My Name hard to gauge going into Frankel

ARCADIA, Calif. – When she won her recent comeback by a diminishing margin of one length, the glass-half-full analysis stressed that Moone’s My Name overcame a seven-month layoff.

The glass-half-empty version, however, was that Moone’s My Name was handed an ideal pace scenario setting slow fractions, yet nearly squandered a five-length lead.

“She got a little tired,” trainer John Sadler admitted. “She was a little bit short, and she still won. If she moves forward off that …”

If she improves second start back, Moone’s My Name might win her first graded stakes Sunday at Santa Anita. Nine fillies and mares entered the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel, a nine-furlong turf stakes named after the late Hall of Fame trainer. The race is not easy however, and Moone’s My Name faces a nemesis who is qualified to turn the tables.

Gulsary finished third in the race won by Moone’s My Name, and one could argue Gulsary ran better than the winner. Gulsary broke slowly, lost ground rallying wide, finished with run, and missed by only one length.

“Her race was good. She was chasing a slow pace,” trainer Tom Proctor said.

Gulsary stretches out Sunday from 1 1/16 miles, to 1 1/8 miles, and is reunited with Gary Stevens.

“I think the [distance] will help her, and I think Gary might fit her a little better,” Proctor said. “I know Gary likes her.”

He has good reason. Stevens rode Gulsary to a better-than-it-looked allowance win two back, and the 3-for-13 Galileo filly has room for further improvement, though she less accomplished than her stablemate.

Proctor also entered Customer Base, an established stakes runner with 4 wins and earnings of $262,182 from 17 starts. The Frankel will be her first start since finishing third in the Grade 2 Goldikova on Nov. 3. The layoff is not a concern.

“She is ready to run. She’s an easy keeper,” Proctor said.

Customer Base will be ridden by Mike Smith, who rode her to victory last summer going 1 1/4 miles.

Customer Base and Gulsary, both 4, are owned by Glen Hill Farm and will campaign in 2014.

Though it is improbable Moone’s My Name will get another soft trip setting a slow pace, the Frankel is not likely to unfold at a particularly fast clip. Champagneandcaviar and Nickels Wild have tactical speed; Moone’s My Name can set or press likely tepid splits.

A 5-year-old, Moone’s My Name has won 7 of 20, and will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano. Sadler said she looked good working six furlongs on grass Dec. 23, though it remains to be seen if she can be effective at 1 1/8 miles. Moone’s My Name has not run beyond 1 1/16 miles. Proctor’s pair both won races at 1 1/4 miles.

The stakes was previously called the San Gorgonio, and was won by Frankel eight times.