By Joe Bianca
Bridlewood Farm and Coolmore's 'TDN Rising Star' Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon) went from unraced maiden to leader of the California juvenile filly ranks in two weeks at Del Mar. Saturday, she'll look to go three-for-three in her first two-turn test, the GI Chandelier S. going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Making her career bow Aug. 19, the $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga buy dueled on a quick pace throughout and held firm to graduate by a length and earn her 'Rising Star' badge. Setting an even hotter clip in the GI Del Mar Debutante Sept. 2, Moonshine Memories again hung in gamely late to score a half-length victory. The question now is how far she can stretch her speed in a race that looks to have a lot of early foot. Her dam, Unchantedevening (Unbridled's Song) broke her maiden going a mile, but that was around one turn at Belmont and she never tried two turns.
Three also-rans from the Debutante re-oppose in here, as runner-up Piedi Bianchi (Overanalyze) tries to turn the tables after just being unable to reel in Moonshine Memories at 18-1. Just a Smidge (Tapit), named a 'TDN Rising Star' after an impressive debut victory July 19 at Del Mar, was a disappointing fifth after chasing the pace in the Debutante.
Alluring Star (Exchange Rate) turned some heads when hammering for $850,000 at OBS March to Baoma Corporation after breezing a quarter-mile in :20 4/5. The Bob Baffert trainee validated that price tag with a good-looking first-out tally Sept. 3 at Del Mar, breaking sharply and stoning a challenger in midstretch to win going away.
If the pace is as enervating as expected, maiden Dancing Belle (First Samurai) is eligible to take advantage. The Keith Desormeaux pupil was a well-beaten fourth in the Debutante, but suffered a wide trip and draws the rail in this spot. Unlike most of her competition, she has a decided route influence on the bottom of her pedigree, as both her dam and second dam were multiple winners going two turns.
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