Eden's Moon Tackles Graded Foes in Santa Ysabel

Eden’s Moon tackles graded company for the first time when she runs in Saturday’s Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. Bob Baffert says she’ll fancy the distance following her 11 ½-length romp in a one-mile maiden win on Jan. 8.

“Her maiden win was pretty impressive, and she’s trained forwardly since,” the Hall of Fame trainer said. “The Santa Ysabel is a pretty tough race. I think the best fillies in California are all in there.”

Eden’s Moon, a bay daughter of Malibu Moon owned by Kaleem Shah, was second in her debut to Reeneesgotzip, who went on to win the Grade II Santa Ynez Stakes by nearly eight lengths.

“I didn’t think she could lose first out,” said Baffert, who saw Eden’s Moon go off at 2-5 against Reneesgotzip at Hollywood Park on Dec. 18, only to finish second. “But my filly likes going long.”

The field for the Santa Ysabel: Eden’s Moon, Martin Garcia, 8-5; Batalha, Chantal Sutherland, 8-1; Willa B Awesome, Martin Pedroza, 8-1; Lady of Shamrock, Mike Smith, 9-2; Killer Graces, Joe Talamo, 7-2; and Charm the Maker, Rafael Bejarano, 3-1. Coup de Coeur was scratched.