If anyone needs proof that the family of Courtly Dee remains red hot, look no further than the Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park on February 21. The US$100,000 race went to Where's the Moon (by Malibu Moon), whose dam Aldiza is also the second dam of 2015 Withers Stakes (USA-G3) Far From Over. The dam of Far From Over, Alchemist, is by Malibu Moon's sire A.P. Indy, so these two promising sophomores are closely related -- uncle and nephew in human terms with respect to their descent from Aldiza and first cousins with respect to their descent from A.P. Indy.
Where's the Moon will have to step up quite a bit in class to be considered a Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) candidate, but he is moving in the right direction after losing his first four starts. He has now won two straight, and he finished the Mine That Bird like a horse that might appreciate distance, getting the final 5/16 in about :31-1/5. While not exceptional, this is at least respectable when compared to International Star, who finished out the same part of the Risen Star Stakes (USA-G2) in about :30-4/5, and is much superior to the final 5/16 of about :34 registered by Upstart in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G2).
Besides class, the other question about Where's the Moon is why he is a gelding instead of an entire given the quality of his pedigree. Given that he went for only US$27,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale, I have to suspect a conformation issue that may compromise his ability to stay sound, especially given the tendency of the Malibu Moons to become heavy-topped with age (a tendency that gelding helps to counter, as geldings generally don't acquire the heavier neck and crest of stallions). Nonetheless, this may be a youngster to keep an eye out for.
Where's the Moon will have to step up quite a bit in class to be considered a Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) candidate, but he is moving in the right direction after losing his first four starts. He has now won two straight, and he finished the Mine That Bird like a horse that might appreciate distance, getting the final 5/16 in about :31-1/5. While not exceptional, this is at least respectable when compared to International Star, who finished out the same part of the Risen Star Stakes (USA-G2) in about :30-4/5, and is much superior to the final 5/16 of about :34 registered by Upstart in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G2).
Besides class, the other question about Where's the Moon is why he is a gelding instead of an entire given the quality of his pedigree. Given that he went for only US$27,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale, I have to suspect a conformation issue that may compromise his ability to stay sound, especially given the tendency of the Malibu Moons to become heavy-topped with age (a tendency that gelding helps to counter, as geldings generally don't acquire the heavier neck and crest of stallions). Nonetheless, this may be a youngster to keep an eye out for.
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