SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Godolphin’s Grade 1 Saratoga Oaks Invitational winner With The Moonlight will look to make another outing at Saratoga Race Course on 13 day’s rest in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for sophomore fillies.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, With The Moonlight had an easy half-mile breeze on Sunday over the Oklahoma turf training track, going easy in the first quarter-mile before picking it up for the second half.
“We were very happy with what she did,” said Chris Connett, Appleby’s traveling assistant. “Obviously, she ran last week, so it was just a matter of letting her stretch her legs this morning. We’re very pleased. She traveled around and quickened up down the lane. All being well, the Lake Placid on Saturday is the target.”
A daughter of Frankel, With The Moonlight avenged a defeat to McKulick in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational in June when she held off a bid from her familiar rival to post a 1 3/4-length victory in the 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Oaks, the first top-level victory for the Irish-bred bay.
Connett said the filly has relished her time at Saratoga.
“We’ve been very fortunate that the barns we have been in [have been quiet]. There’s some nice grazing behind it, so they can go out in the morning and have their exercise and come back for some grazing in the afternoon,” said Connett. “It chills them out and makes them feel good. All this week, she’ll go out to the track at 5:30 and might blow out on Thursday.”
NYRA Press Office
Photo: With The Moonlight winning the Saratoga Oaks August 7. (Susie Raisher)
