Blue Moon Stride captures Mistletoe Shalee in 1:49.2
July 16, 2016,by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
East Rutherford, NJ — Blue Moon Stride and driver Andrew McCarthy won Saturday’s (July 16) $157,400 Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old female pacers by one length over Penpal in 1:49.2 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Lisa photo
Blue Moon Stride was a 1:49.2 winner in the Mistletoe Shalee.
Blue Moon Stride, the 4-5 favorite, was near the rear of the six-horse field during the race’s early goings, but started to make her move from fifth place as the group neared the halfway point in the mile.
L A Delight, who was the even-money second choice, went off stride as she attempted to challenge Lindwood Beachgirl for the lead, leaving Blue Moon Stride first over as the field entered the final turn.
New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Blue Moon Stride took over the top spot at the top of the stretch and then held off an upset bid from Penpal and driver Patrick Lachance. Shezarealdeal finished third, followed by Skinny Dipper.
Fractions for the mile were :26.2, :54.3 and 1:23.
Trained by Mark Harder, Blue Moon Stride (Rocknroll Hanover-Classic Star) is owned by Emilio and Maria Rosati of Australia. She has won four of seven races this season and $233,700.
“This race didn’t come up quite the way I thought it would, with L A Delight, a great filly in the past, she had a miscue at the half,” Harder said. “You know what? (Blue Moon Stride) is just good right now, she’s in a little groove. She’s healthy and strong, she’s done the job.”
The Miss New Jersey on July 30 at the Meadowlands is expected to be her next start.
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