Moonage Daydream wins the Stewart Manor (NYRA/Coglianese)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— Chris Larsen’s New York homebred Moonage Daydream was awarded a career-best 81 Beyer Speed Figure for her pacesetting victory against open company in Saturday’s $120,000 Stewart Manor, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for juvenile fillies, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Trained by Jorge Abreu, the daughter of Candy Ride rallied from off-the-pace in her first two outings, but went wire-to-wire yesterday under a confident ride from Reylu Gutierrez.
“Early on, I thought she was one of my best 2-year-olds. I was a little concerned when she took the lead, because I hate having my horses on the lead, but Reylu told me, ‘Somebody had to take the lead,’” said Abreu, with a laugh. “I think she wants to stretch out a little and going a mile will be better for her.”
Moonage Daydream added to a maiden-breaking score two start back on September 30 at Belmont at the Big A, improving from a close fifth-place finish on debut in July at Saratoga Race Course.
“I don’t know what happened in her first start, but that happens,” said Abreu. “I think the ability is there. I’m going to shut her down for the winter and then bring her back next year.”
Abreu also provided an update on graded stakes-placed Lachaise, who withdrew from the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Friday at Keeneland. The New York-bred son of Oscar Performance, owned and bred by Larry Goichman, finished third in the Grade 2 Pilgrim on October 2 and made it into the main body of the Juvenile Turf, but was forced to withdraw due to illness.
“I breezed him here and wasn’t sure if we were going to get in. On Wednesday, they told me he was in. We shipped him over on Sunday and on Monday, he spiked a little temperature,” said Abreu. “But it happens. I think some babies handle it all different.”
Abreu said Lachaise will get some freshening before deciding what comes next.
“I’m going to see. He’s in Kentucky now and we’ll send him to Nick de Meric this week and let him grow up,” said Abreu. “Hopefully he can have a very good campaign next year.”
