It was a tough spot to launch her five-year-old campaign, but MOIRA proved she belongs with the best turf mares in North America with a brilliant rally to be second to Whitebeam in the Diana Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on July 13.
Making her first start since a solid third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Moira had been in steady training with Kevin Attard since she arrived at Woodbine from Margaux Farm in Kentucky in early spring. It was also her first race since the ownership group of Madaket Stable, X Men Racing and SF Bloodstock sold the daughter of Ghostzapper at the Night of the Stars sale at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky last November. Moira went through the ring at $3 million and X-Men is no longer listed as an owner, but Donato Lanni’s Lanni Bloodstock is now a partner.
Starting from post 1 in the tough Diana field, Moira settled nicely along the rail for jockey Tyler Gaffalione, while last year’s Diana winner Whitebeam had an easy lead and set a slow pace. Moira advanced inside and then moved to the two path in traffic late on the turn, charging well to grab second by a nose over another Brown-trainee, Gina Romantica. The time for 1 1/8 miles on turf was 1:48.14. Moira picked up $100,000 (US) for her runner-up placing.
Gaffalione said it was a game runner-up finish from the Kevin Attard-trained Moira, who was making her first effort since a third in the 10-furlong Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in November at Santa Anita Park.
“I was so impressed with her; she is a pleasure to be around – a very classy filly,” Gaffalione said. “She fired big for us, especially considering the slow pace. She really laid it down. I thought it was a huge effort off the eight-month layoff.”
Attard was in agreement with his jockey, who won the first two races on the day’s program, including the Grade 3 Kelso aboard the Brown-trained Carl Spackler.
“I thought she showed she belonged and obviously after a little bit of a layoff she should move forward off of this race,” Attard said. “Hopefully next time we have an honest pace in front of us.”
Moira has a record of 15-5-5-2 and earnings of $1,513,999. She was bred in Ontario by Adena Springs and is from the mare Devine Aida by Unbridled’s Song.
It was all hers for the taking as soon as she broke out of the gate! WHITEBEAM secures back-to-back victories in the GI Diana Stakes at the Spa 🏆 pic.twitter.com/eRc4gqeSlC
— TDN (@theTDN) July 13, 2024
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