Luna Time denies Joint Return in Obeah

Dorsey Brown and Richard Palmer's homebred Luna Time (Malibu Moon) took full

advantage of 5-2 favorite Joint Return's (Include) propensity of running well

back in the rear of the field during Saturday's $100,625

Obeah S.

(G3) at Delaware Park, getting the jump on her rival rounding the turn and

easily holding for a three-length victory.

Jockey Forest Boyce settled Luna Time about midpack as Natalie Victoria

(Indian Ocean) took command of the race through pedestrian splits of :24 2/5,

:49 2/5 and 1:13 1/5. Montana Native (Yes It's True) was drafting to her outside

while Perique (Tapit) bided her time just to that one's inside while behind the

pacesetter saving ground on the rail.

All the while, Joint Return was running as much as 10 lengths behind Natalie

Victoria, and six lengths behind her closest rival, in the rear of the

10-distaffer field.

Nearing the final turn, Montana Native began closing the gap between her and

Natalie Victoria, but was soon joined by Luna Time to her outside. Those two

duked it out entering the stretch as Natalie Victoria gave way, with Luna Time

emerging with the lead. Joint Return was closing fast on the outside but ran out

of room as Luna Time stopped the clock in 1:49 2/5 for 1 1/8 miles on Delaware's

fast main track.

Luna Time was sent off at 15-1 and paid $32.80 to her faithful supporters. Joint Return barely got second by a neck over Montana Native, while Fortune

Pearl (Mineshaft) finished another 1 1/2 lengths back in fourth.

Luna Time was trying graded rivals for the first time having just placed

third while making her stakes bow in the Maryland Racing Media S. at Laurel

Park. The Graham Motion pupil hadn't been seen in competition since that

February 14 event, but returned in style in this spot to improve her career

record to 9-4-1-1, $195,073.

The Maryland-bred Luna Time is the first registered stakes winner out of dual

stakes heroine High Moment (High Yield), who is a half-sister to Grade 2 victor

Sir Whimsey (Jump Start). Her third dam is multiple stakes queen A Thrilling

Moment (Lydian), and this female family also boasts Grade 1 vixen Jessica is

Back (Put It Back).

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