Eclipse Award winning Declan's Moon makes his three-year-old debut in the Grade Two Santa Catalina Stakes this Saturday at Santa Anita. Owned by Jay Em Ess Stable and trained Ron Ellis, Declan's Moon went undefeated in four starts during his two-year-old campaign in 2004 while winning three Graded Stakes, including his only try on around two turns the Grade One Hollywood Futurity last December. The race will be run as the fifth on the same card as the $1M (GI) Santa Anita Handicap.

Winter rains have caused havoc on most training schedules, but Declan's Moon has lost minimal time due to the rain. Being stabled at Hollywood Park during the off meet has helped, and their sand-based track has the ability to absorb more water than at cross town's Santa Anita. The son of Malibu Moon has pocketed $507,000 in his career and figures to be a heavy favorite in the Santa Catalina, having already won at the stake's distance, and the short six-horse field should keep any traffic problems to a minimum.

Declan's Moon's trainer Ron Ellis has been very patient and is no stranger in knowing how to get a runner to peak the first Saturday in May. Ellis guided Atswhatimtalknbout to a fast closing fourth place finish in the 2003 Kentucky Derby. Declan's Moon could be vulnerable, having not raced since mid December, but his works at Hollywood Park having been nothing short of sensational. Plus the fact that the trainer's 47% win percentage returning from similar layoffs assures Declan's Moon will be ready for the test.

The full field for the Santa Catalina (GII) from the rail out with riders and weights include, Go Coyote Joe (Martin Pedroza) 115; Snack (Corey Nakatani) 115; Juliesugardaddy (Alex Bisono) 115; Spanish Chestnut (Gary Stevens) 122; Going Wild (Rafael Bejarano) 122 and Declan's Moon (Victor Espinoza) 122.

Other contenders appear to be Smith and Tabor's Spanish Chestnut, trained by Patrick Biancone. The son of Horse Chestnut has won two straight at the current Santa Anita meeting with both wins coming around two turns, including the San Rafael (GII) in mid January racing a mile. Spanish Chestnut has looked very solid in his two workouts since he last raced. Going Wild trained by Wayne Lukas is worthy of mention since he's never been worse than third in six career starts, with his latest win coming in the 1 1/8 Sham Stakes on Santa Anita's main track on February 5th.

Another who could impact the Santa Catalina is Snack, who was purchased in February after a good come from behind win at Turfway Park, racing a mile facing minor stakes competition. Snack made his first start of his career in the claiming ranks but has shown he has considerable ability, having won 4 of 8 starts and rattling off three straight wins. Owned by Reddam & Schlessinger and conditioned by Santa Anita's leading trainer Doug O'Neill, Snack's late running ability could play a big part in the Santa Catalina's outcome with the abundance of early speed in the race.

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