Sweet August Moon on upswing

ARCADIA, Calif. Sweet August Moon wins the Honest Lady at Santa Anita. Trainer Brian Koriner has big plans for her this year.P

From trainer Brian Koriner's perspective, Sweet August Moon launched her career by winning Saturday's $100,000 Honest Lady Stakes at Santa Anita.

"I think we're just getting started," he said. "I think she can be worth a lot of money and travel around the country for one-turn stakes."

Sweet August Moon ($20.40) won her first stakes in the six-furlong Honest Lady for fillies and mares, rallying from seventh in a field of nine to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Ridden by John Velazquez, Sweet August Moon was timed in 1:09.10.

Foxy Danseur, the 2-1 favorite, finished second after leading briefly in the stretch. Coco Belle, sixth early, closed well to finish third. Starry Pursuit and Moonshine Alice set the early pace of 21.48 and 44.10 seconds, but faded in early stretch.

Sweet August Moon has won 4 of 10 starts and $178,102 for owners Legacy Ranch and Shirley MacPherson. A 4-year-old filly by Malibu Moon, Sweet August Moon was third in the Grade 3 La Habra Stakes last year.

She was away from racing for more than nine months, until mid-January of this year, after being sidelined with a bone chip in a knee, Koriner said. Since her return, she has won 2 of 3 starts.