Moulin de Mougin Relishes Downhill Course

Like mother, like daughter. No doubt that is what many fans were thinking after Ran Jan Racing’s Moulin de Mougin won Sunday’s seventh race, a maiden event, in her second career start. Trained by Richard Mandella and ridden by Corey Nakatani, the filly was making her first try down Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course. She paid $9.

“Moulin de Mougin’s dam, Cambiocorsa, became known as the ‘queen of the hill’ during her racing career,” noted Jon White, who makes Santa Anita’s morning line and provides television commentary from the paddock for the track’s simulcast network. “Cambiocorsa won her first eight starts down the hill. And, like her dam, Ultrafleet, Cambiocorsa is turning into a terrific broodmare in terms of producing winners down the hill.

“Cambiocorsa’s three offspring to race down the hill so far have won four of five starts combined, with one second. Schiaparelli (by 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper) is two for two down the hill. Vionnet (by Street Sense) has a win and a second in two starts down the hill. And now Moulin de Mougin (by 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin) is one for one down the hill.”

Vionnet is entered in Thursday’s seventh race. However, it is not a race down the hill. Thursday’s seventh race is an allowance race at one mile on turf.

“Ultrafleet never raced down the hill,” White said. “In fact, she never ran on the turf. She raced four times on dirt and never won. But what Ultrafleet has achieved as a broodmare is really remarkable. Her offspring are a combined 15-21 down the hill. Her two most accomplished hill runners have been Cambiocorsa and California Flag."

California Flag, trained by Brian Koriner, has not started since he won the San Simeon Handicap down the hill last April 21. The 8-year-old Avenue of Flags gelding worked six furlongs on the turf Saturday in 1:14 3/5. He is expected to run down the hill in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 3. In 2009, California Flag won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.