Moonbie Romps at Fair Grounds

Steve Mongerson’s Moonbie, away alertly and quickly in command in Monday’s featured $49,000 allowance optional claiming sprint at Fair Grounds, made the pace and drew off in the final furlong of the six-furlong affair to prove five lengths best at the wire.

Ridden by James Graham, who cut out early fractions of 23.01 and 46.95 aboard the Tom Amoss trainee, Moonbie accomplished the final distance in 1:11.24, increased his career earnings to $47,430 while notching his second win in three lifetime starts and returned mutuels of $8.20, $4.60 and $2.40.

Temple Webber Jr.’s Appealing Image, allowed to settle early, rallied late to gain the place, finishing a half-length to the good of Gerry Aschinger’s favored Gonna Tell Mama, who had prompted the pace but had no late rally.

Appealing Image paid $6.60 and $2.60 to place while Gonna Tell Mama returned $2.10 to show.