Breeders' Cup Harvest Moon Shines in Zenyatta September 27, 2020 Credit: Ernie Belmonte Breeders' Cup Harvest Moon Shines in Zenyatta September 27, 2020 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ARCADIA, CA – Trainer Simon Callaghan’s Harvest Moon continued her ascent as a shining star while winning Sunday’s $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. The Zenyatta is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Harvest Moon receiving an automatic berth in the Longines Distaff at Keeneland this November. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Harvest Moon broke well from post 3 under Flavien Prat as the 7/2 third choice in the four-horse field and entered the clubhouse turn just a length off of early leader Fighting Mad. Sent from the rail as the 2/5 favorite, Fighting Mad posted opening fractions of :23.37 and :46.51, but Harvest Moon ranged up heading into the far turn and presented her challenge. Sweeping to the lead at the 1/4 pole, Harvest Moon straightened for home on top and held onto her advantage through to the wire, crossing 3/4 of a length clear while completing the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt route in 1:43.03. Credit: Ernie Belmonte “We thought Fighting Mad would go to the lead and we wanted to keep pressure on her,” Prat said. “My filly had never been a mile and 1/16… It turned out this was a good distance for my filly and she really ran well.” Hard Not to Love came running late in the stretch and finished second, 3/4 of a length ahead of a weakened Fighting Mad. Proud Emma completed the order of finish. Hang a Star scratched, with her connections opting to run her in Friday’s Chillingworth Stakes (G3), where she finished fourth. Harvest Moon’s win was her third straight and improved her overall record to 4-3-0-1, a mark that includes winning the Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) last time out. The 3-year-old Uncle Mo filly has now earned $ for co-owners Alice Bamford (who also bred her) and Michael Tabor. “I’m absolutely thrilled today, completely over the moon for Harvest Moon!” Bamford said. “She’s a homebred and she’s just so deep in my heart and my family’s heart. It was so good to see her so well ridden today, showing off her beautiful stride. She came and did it against a very very good competitor in Fighting Mad. We’re thrilled that we won, and we are in (the Breeders’ Cup)!” Harvest Moon returned $9.80 to win and $5.60 to place, while Hard Not to Love paid $5.60 to place. There was no show betting.
Jon White’s Kentucky Derby 2025 Strikes and Picks | Blinkers Off 718 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Post Position Draw & Odds | Blinkers Off 717 The Racing Dudes go LIVE to cover the post draw… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Town Hall Forum | Blinkers Off 716 The Racing Dudes take one last look at the contenders… Read More
Keeneland Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 588 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Keeneland on Friday &… Read More
NHL and NBA Playoff PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 236 Aaron and Papa Dude give their picks for the upcoming… Read More
Jon White’s 2025 Kentucky Derby Strikes & Picks One of the big stories in 1999 was President Bill… Read More
Kentucky Derby Trends 2025 | Post Position Analysis Post position is important in every race, but the Kentucky Derby… Read More
Jon White’s Kentucky Derby 2025 Strikes and Picks | Blinkers Off 718 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
2025 Kentucky Derby Preview & FREE Picks | Who WINS the Run for the Roses? Aaron previews the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) from Churchill Downs,… Read More
2025 Kentucky Oaks Preview & FREE Picks | Good Cheer Headlines Friday’s Main Event Aaron previews the 2025 Kentucky Oaks (G1) from Churchill Downs,… Read More