Devil May Care’s G1 sparks big day for Malibu Moon

Devil May Care overwhelmed her competition with an easy-as-you-please victory in the $250,000 Mother Goose S. (G1) at Belmont Park on June 26. Making her first start since the Kentucky Derby (G1), the 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon recorded her fourth win in seven lifetime starts, and her second in a Grade 1.

She was one of three stakes horses on the day for her sire, giving him 17 stakes horses and over $4,000,000 for the year. She was also the second U.S. Grade 1 winner of the year for Malibu Moon, and no other stallion has more Grade 1 winners on dirt.

Devil May Care’s final margin in the Mother Goose was only 1 1/4-lengths, but it could have been much more if John Velazquez had asked her for any run at all in the stretch. Stalking in third for the first five furlongs of the one-turn main track event, she was four wide going through the big, sweeping turn. Without any urging, she moved passed the front-runners at the 3/16ths pole. With Velazquez looking back for competition, she eased away in the final furlong, completing the race 1:42.06, earning a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

Interestingly, Devil May Care’s Mother Goose marked the first time in seven races she has started at the same track more than once. Her previous stakes wins have come in the Grade 1 Frizette (Belmont) and the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss (Gulfstream). Her record now stands at 4-0-0 in seven starts. She has earned $549,000 for owner Glencrest Farm LLC, who purchased her at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale for $110,000.

Malibu Moon exacta in $100,000 Lighthouse Stakes

Also on June 26, Malibu Prayer and Luna Vega made it a Malibu Moon exacta in the $100,000 Lighthouse S. at Monmouth Park. By running 1-2 in the 1 1/16-mile event on the main track, they became the 16th and 17th stakes horses of the year for their sire.

Malibu Prayer led almost the entire way, drawing off to a 4 1/2-length score over Luna Vega, who came from fourth to grab the place spot. Malibu Prayer, like Devil May Care, is trained by Todd Pletcher. She races for her breeder Edward P. Evans.

Malibu Prayer was a multiple stakes winner last year, who ironically ran second in the Mother Goose S. (G1). She now has a record of 5-3-2 in 11 starts, with earnings of $408,026. Luna Vega was also a stakes winner and Grade 1 placed last year, running third in the Ruffian H. (G1). Her record stands at 18-4-4-2, $282,192.

With seven winners on Friday and Saturday, Malibu Moon vaulted to the top spot on the North American sire list by number winners (87) and multiple winners (35). He ranks fifth by earnings and sixth by stakes winners (7).