MULTIPLE GI WINNER MOONSHINE MEMORIES ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL IN SATURDAY’S ANGELS FLIGHT STAKES

By Mike Willman —-

MULTIPLE GRADE I WINNER MOONSHINE MEMORIES ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL IN SATURDAY’S $75,000 ANGELS FLIGHT STAKES; CALLAGHAN-TRAINED FILLY HEADS FIELD OF 10 AT SEVEN PANELS

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 9, 2018)—Trainer Simon Callaghan’s Moonshine Memories, idle since well beaten in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 4, heads a field of 10 three year old fillies going seven furlongs in Saturday’s $75,000 Angels Flight Stakes at Santa Anita. With several entrants possessing considerable “upside,” Bob Baffert’s Thirteen Squared, Peter Eurton’s Uppercut and Gary Sherlock’s Show It N Moe It all have solid resumes and recent form in their respective corners.

Undefeated in three starts, which included a pair of Grade I victories, she ran seventh, beaten about 6 ½ lengths, as the 2-1 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Although she obviously lacks recency, her class could point her out as a short-priced favorite.

MOONSHINE MEMORIES

Owner: Bridlewood Farm, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor Trainer: Simon Callaghan
A supplemental nominee, Moonshine Memories has eight works on her tab dating back to March 10, including a rapid five furlong move on April 29 of 1:00.80—third fastest of 62 at the distance. Her most recent drill was another five eighths on May 5, in 1:02.20. A $650,000 Fasig-Tipton August Yearling purchase, this Kentucky-bred daughter of Malibu Moon has earnings of $416,000. A first-out maiden winner going six furlongs on Aug. 19 at Del Mar, she took the Grade I, seven furlong Del Mar Debutante in her next start on Sept. 2. From there, she stretched out for the first time in the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles Chandelier Stakes here at Santa Anita on Sept. 30, winning by 2 ¾ lengths. Although the lack of recency and a work tab that’s devoid of any serious drills beyond five furlongs are of concern, she remains the horse to beat.

THIRTEEN SQUARED

Owner: Arnold Zetcher, LLC Trainer: Bob Baffert
Most recently third, beaten seven lengths by multiple graded winner Midnight Bisou in the the Grade I, 1 1/16 Santa Anita Oaks April 7, this Arnold Zetcher homebred daughter of Liaison was a solid second to Midnight Bisou two starts back in the Grade III, 1 1/16 miles Santa Ysabel two starts back and will be cutting back in distance following four consecutive routes. A gate to wire one-mile maiden winner four starts back at Los Alamitos Dec. 7, Thirteen Squared opened up early in the Santa Anita Oaks and should appreciate the seven furlong distance. With an overall mark of 7-1-1-2, she has earnings of $115,320

UPPERCUT

Owner: S. Johnson, Exline-Border Racing, LLC, Ciaglia Racing, LLC and S. Dorfman
Trainer: Peter Eurton
A dazzling 5 ¾ length first-out maiden winner going six furlongs here on Feb. 17, this Kentucky-bred daughter of Discreet Cat was subsequently third, beaten 2 ¼ lengths in the Grade III, seven furlong Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland on April 8. Back home at Santa Anita, Uppercut has a pair of five furlong works to her credit, as she went 1:01.20 on April 29 and 1:01.60 on May 6. With “Big Money” Mike Smith riding her back in what will be her third career start, Uppercut, a $260,000 Ocala, Fla., 2-year-old in training sale purchase 14 months ago, would appear to rate a huge chance on Saturday.

SHOW IT N MOE IT

Owner: Tom London, Terry Lovingier, C. Terry and Eugene Zondlo Trainer: Gary Sherlock
Bred by co-owner Lovingier, she’s by Grace Upon Grace and is out of the Ide mare, Robotica. The lone California-bred in the lineup, she just missed as the 2-5 favorite in the 6 ½ furlong Evening Jewel Stakes versus statebreds on April 7, finishing second, beaten a neck. A consistent, hard-knocking filly who’s won four out of her 11 starts, her best race came two starts back, when she drilled a first condition allowance field by 3 ¾ lengths going 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 9 while in open company. With earnings of $265,113, she ranks second to the top selection in money-won and will get the services of a comebacking Rafael Bejarano, who’s guided her to a pair of victories in as many tries.

THE $75,000 ANGELS FLIGHT STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 8 of 9 Approximate post time 4 p.m. PT

1. Show It N Moe It—Rafael Bejarano—124
2. Moonshine Memories – Flavien Prat – 124
3. First Dudette – Stewart Elliott – 120
4. Emboldened – Martin Garcia – 120
5. Surrender Now – Victor Espinoza – 124
6. Uppercut—Mike Smith—120
7. Highland Lass –Tyler Conner – 120
8. True Royalty – Drayden Van Dyke – 124
9. Thirteen Squared— Joe Talamo —120
10. Film Actress—Brayan Pena – 124

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 12:30 p.m. Admission gates open at 10:30 a.m. For additional racing information, please visit www.santaanita.com.