Captivating Moon kicks off stakes double for Malibu Moon

Lothenbach Stables homebred colt Captivating Moon took the $75,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial S. by nearly two lengths for his first stakes victory, as well as becoming the first of two stakes winners for Malibu Moon on the Saturday Fair Grounds card.

Ridden by Brian Hernandez, Jr., Captivating Moon set a couple lengths behind the early leader Renaisance Frolic through the first six furlongs before swinging to his outside and running past the pacesetter at the top of the lane. Space Mountain made a late charge, but could get no closer than 1 ¾-lengths on the wire (VIDEO).

“He felt really good under me he was getting over the track really nice,” Hernandez Jr. said after the win. He came out of those two really good allowance races at Churchill Downs and we thought after the scratches we were the best horse in the race so I’m glad we got the job done.”

Captivating Moon was four-time graded stakes placed before Saturday’s win and has now banked $390,609. His dam Appealing Storm has produced eight winners, topped by millionaire and Grade 1 winner Vacare, along with graded winner Single Solution.