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Moon Catcher leads all the way in Delaware Oaks CJZ Racing Stable and trainer Tim Ritchey's MOON CATCHER (Malibu Moon) took the lead into the first turn, shook off the pace-pressing Bear Now (Tiznow) turning for home and held off a late charge by Winning Point (Point Given) in taking the $505,600 Delaware Oaks (G2) on Saturday. Sent directly to the front by jockey Carlos Marquez Jr., the sophomore miss established splits of :23 2/5, :47 3/5, 1:11 and 1:36 for the opening mile, prior to completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 1/5 over the fast track. The final margin was a head, and the 9-1 shot returned $20.60, $9.20 and $3.80 while topping the $75 exacta, $198.80 trifecta and $960.40 superfecta (6-1-3-4). Winning Point rated well while in fourth early, lacked room around the final turn and closed with excellent energy while 6 3/4 lengths clear of the third spot. The 4-1 third choice was good for $5.20 and $2.60. Cotton Blossom (Broken Vow), the 6-5 choice, was in perfect tracking position throughout but lacked the need rally, ultimately settling for the show, which gave back $2.10. Bear Now stayed on to complete the superfecta and was trailed by 3-1 second choice High Heels (E Dubai), Greenstreet (Street Cry [Ire]) and Dawn After Dawn (Successful Appeal). Tough Tiz's Sis (Tiznow) was withdrawn. Moon Catcher earned her second consecutive stakes win with this conquer, following a triumph in the Susan's Girl Breeders' Cup S. most recently over this surface. The lass sports an 8-5-1-1 mark, with earnings of $501,600. The winner was bred in Maryland by Albert H. Cohen, Randy L. Cohen and Ferris Allen III, and was produced from the winning Smarten mare Smartster. She was preceded in stakes glory by Smarten Up (Baederwood) and has a yearling half-sister named Smart Hero (Partner's Hero). Moon Catcher brought $49,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December weanling before bringing $75,000 as a Keeneland September yearling.
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