114 Beyer for Malibu Moon mare in dominant G3 win

Malibu Moon’s Come Dancing earns a 114 Beyer – fastest in North America so far in 2019 | NYRA photo

Malibu Moon’s Come Dancing emerged as a major player in the older filly and mare division on Friday, dominating Aqueduct’s $150,000 Distaff S. (G3) by 7 3/4 lengths.

She earned an astronomical 114 Beyer for the performance, marking the fastest Beyer Speed Figure to date in North America in 2019 WATCH.

“She was sensational, I thought,” said trainer Carlos Martin, who campaigns Come Dancing for the Blue Devil Racing Stable of Marc Holliday and James O’Reilly. “I thought she was ready to run a good race, but she was better than I expected. I hate to sound sarcastic, but it seemed like a workout. He never got her out of second gear.”

The talented bay mare broke sharply and led every step of the way, running her rivals off their feet into the turn before opening up in the stretch and cruising home late. She zipped seven furlongs in 1:22.31 over a fast local main track under jockey Manny Franco.

Come Dancing not only became Malibu Moon’s newest graded stakes winner, she also became his newest star on the rise. Bred in Kentucky by her owner Blue Devil Racing, Come Dancing will likely stretch back out for her next start in the $250,000 Ruffian (G2) at Belmont on May 5th, confirmed Martin after Friday’s big win.

Out of the Grade 2-winning juvenile Tizahit, Come Dancing now owns 5 wins from 9 starts and increased her earnings to $339,200. She captured the Royal Delta S. last fall at Belmont.