Coglianese Photos/Kenny Martin
By Sarah Mace
Expertly guided by Paco Lopez, Hidden Brook Farm’s multiple stakes-placed Neck of the Moon nailed down her first stakes score at Gulfstream Park Saturday afternoon when she swept to the lead in the far turn to win the $100,000 South Beach Stakes, a 7 1/2-furlong two-turn turf contest at Gulfstream Park.
Neck of the Moon last visited the winner’s circle in September 2015, but has been a consistent performer throughout her career, hitting the board in 16 of 21 prior starts and placed in four stakes. Still, the six-year-old daughter of More than Ready had found that first stakes victory elusive.
When the race was drawn, trainer Chad Brown observed, “She’s a very consistent horse, but she is just not lucky. We spotted her well all season and she just had very unfortunate trips. A couple of those races she could have won. She always gives her best.” Neck of the Moon was last seen finishing second by a length in the one-mile River Memories Stakes at Woodbine on November 5. She went postwards in the South Beach as the third betting choice (of nine) at odds of 6-1.
Out of gate six well, Neck of the Moon and Lopez secured a ground-saving spot near the fence for the first bend, then raced in seventh along the backstretch in the two-path, a couple lengths clear of the close-packed scrum up ahead.
Making her way between horses in the far turn, Neck of the Moon advanced into contention wtih clear running in the in the four path at the head of the stretch.
Neck of the Moon drove past her three remaining rivals under a ride, then held off the most persistent of them, Sandiva. who was trying to re-rally. The grey mare crossed the wire the winner by a neck, in a final time of 1:31 flat. Sandiva finished a half-length ahead of the Clement-trained British-bred Excilly in third.
After the victory, Brown said, “Today, she got the trip she needed. We told Paco a few things about her, particularly her affinity to get outside if possible in a big field, and he executed it perfectly. I’m really proud of the ride he gave her and I’m proud of the filly for the effort she gave.”
Remarked Lopez, “This filly is easy to ride. I had good position on the inside. When I took her to the outside, she ran big.”
Brown is unsure whether Neck of the Moon, a $402,312 earner, will continue racing or prepare for life as a broodmare with her back type win under her belt. “I’ll speak to the management at Hidden Brook, just enjoy this for now and see what happens.”
Bred by Stone Bridge Farm in Gansevoort, where she was foaled, Neck of the Moon is out of stakes-placed Kentucky-bred Cotopaxi, by With Approval, who was purchased by Stone Bridge owner Jeffrey Tucker at the 2006 Keeneland November sale for $120,000. She has produced five winners from five foals to start and relocated to Mexico in 2010.
