Moon Spun will bid to continue her impressive resurgence when she lines up in Saturday’s Ladies Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park, with the Town and Country Racing mare aiming to secure her first stakes triumph after building strong momentum on the turf.
Following a lengthy absence, the 5-year-old has returned with renewed purpose, stringing together consecutive victories over the Gulfstream grass. Her most recent success came in the Abundantia late last year, where she displayed grit and determination to hold off accomplished rivals in a tight finish, underlining her credentials heading into the Ladies Turf Sprint.
The 17th renewal of the five-furlong feature for fillies and mares aged four and older forms the centrepiece of a competitive 12-race card scheduled to commence at 12:20 p.m., drawing together a field packed with proven performers and seasoned campaigners.
Moon Spun Carries Momentum into Ladies Turf Sprint
Prepared by Brian Lynch, Moon Spun represents a stable well-versed in high-level success. Lynch has accumulated several notable victories across varied surfaces, and he believes the mare is reaching peak condition at the right time.
Since her return from a 13-month layoff, Moon Spun has rediscovered her rhythm. Her Abundantia victory saw her engage in an early speed duel before repelling a late challenge from two-time Grade 3 winner Haulin Ice, prevailing by a narrow margin in a performance that highlighted both her resilience and developing maturity.
Lynch has praised the mare’s physical progress and mental toughness, noting that she has strengthened considerably and continues to show encouraging signs during morning preparations. Her connections adopted a patient approach to her comeback, allowing her ample recovery time at the farm before resuming training, a strategy that now appears to be paying dividends.
Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano, who guided Moon Spun to both of her recent victories, renews the partnership from Post 7. She enters the contest as a prominent contender among a field of eight runners.
Among her chief rivals is the accomplished Twirling Queen, a seven-time winner who brings significant earnings and experience into the contest. The 5-year-old has collected several stakes victories during her career, including a productive run of wins during the 2024 campaign. After a busy season last year, her trainer Jose D’Angelo opted to give her a short break, and recent workouts suggest she is returning to her best form. David Egan takes the reins for the first time as she breaks from Post 6.
Veteran performer Choose Joy adds further depth to the lineup. The 9-year-old has accumulated ten victories during a lengthy career and returned from an extended absence last season with a strong win on the all-weather surface. She has since produced competitive efforts, including a close fifth-place finish in the Abundantia, demonstrating she remains capable of challenging in the Ladies Turf Sprint.
The supporting cast includes several consistent performers such as Flamingo Way, Le Amazonia and Cart Girl Sam, alongside Tree C’s Kai, who arrives on a two-race winning streak, and Without Cause, another capable participant expected to contribute to a fiercely contested event.
Saturday’s Ladies Turf Sprint promises a compelling clash between established stakes performers and an in-form mare seeking to elevate her career to new heights. With Moon Spun carrying confidence and proven recent form, the stage appears set for a thrilling dash along the Gulfstream turf.
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