Moonshine Memories Stays Undefeated in Chandelier Stakes

Moonshine Memories emerged as the leading two-year-old filly in California with an easy 2 1/2  length victory in the Chandelier Stakes (G1).  The daughter of Malibu Moon is undefeated in three starts and earned her second Grade 1 victory in the Chandelier, as well as a berth in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Jockey Flavien Prat and Moonshine Memories were content to settle in second, two lengths behind Alluring Star and Joe Talamo. A length back on the rail, Super Good was rank under Gary Stevens, while Terra’s Angel, Piedi Bianchi and Just A Smidge were strung wide to her outside. Alluring Star played catch me if you can with early fractions of :23.03 and 45:45. With three furlongs to go, Moonshine Memories reeled in Alluring Star and Piedi Bianchi gradually made up ground in third. Prat shook up Moonshine Memories and she drew clear of Alluring Star by 2 3/4 lengths, galloping under the wire in 1:46.32 under a hand ride. Alluring Star held off a tenacious Piedi Bianchi by a neck for second. It was 9 3/4 lengths back to Dancing Belle in fourth.    

Prat reflected on his trip, “I had a great trip. She’s learned to relax, so that’s great. She broke well, she sat off the pace, dropped the bit and relaxed well today. When I made my move, she was all there. Simon told me to break and just wait and see what the other speed was going to do, but I kind of rode her the same as I did in the Debutante.”

Trainer Simon Callaghan praised his filly, “I just like the way she sat off horses and relaxed really well. That’s the key to getting these longer distances. We know she’s got speed, and she’s proven it in these two other races, but today she showed she relaxes, and that makes everyone’s job easier.”

Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon – Unenchantedevening by Unbridled's Song) was bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm. She sold for $650,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga 2016 Select Yearling Sale to Bridlewood Farm, and the Coolmore team of Magnier, Smith, and Tabor.  Moonshine Memories previously captured the Del Mar Debutante Stakes and has earned $396,000 in three starts.

Moonshine Memories rewarded backers with $6.00, $3.20 and $2.60. The $1 exacta was $8.60. The $0.50 trifecta paid $12.30 and the $1 superfecta returned $112.90.