Moon casts Giant shadow in Count Fleet

Albert Fried Jr.'s GIANT MOON (Giant's Causeway) remained unbeaten with a neck decision in Saturday's $81,525 Count Fleet Stakes, capturing New York's first stakes race in 2008 for Kentucky Derby (GI) hopefuls. The Richard Schosberg trainee compiled a pair of stakes victories in running his record to three-for-three last season, but the New York-bred colt raced exclusively against state-breds. He stepped up to face open company in Saturday's one-mile and 70-yard test and proved resolute in holding rival Spanky Fischbein (Hook and Ladder) at bay through the stretch.

Spanky Fischbein, who is also a New York-bred, showed the way early, leading by about a length through the opening three-quarters of a mile while establishing fractions in :24, :48 1/5 and 1:12. Giant Moon and jockey Ramon Dominguez tracked in second and went after the pacesetter leaving the far turn, gaining a narrow advantage in upper stretch. The runner-up battled gamely through the lane, but Giant Moon clearly appeared to be going best on the far outside, getting the mile split in 1:36 4/5 before stopping the teletimer in 1:41 over Aqueduct's fast inner track.

"He really proved that he is improving," Schosberg commented. "Ramon said that this horse is very unique because he feels like he's falling asleep on you down the backside but once he gets a little tap, he'll just take off on you."

"He's very unique," Dominguez explained, "As big as he is, he does as little as he has to. He is very responsive, though, when you ask him to go. He'll give you one big stride and then turn himself off. It's great that he is still undefeated."

Sent off the 5-2 co-second choice, Giant Moon returned $7.50, $4.10 and $3. The Todd Pletcher-trained Spanky Fischbein, the 4-1 fourth choice among seven sophomores, was worth $4.60 and $3. Philadelphia Park shipper Roman Emperor (Empire Maker), the 2-1 favorite, finished 3 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.90. It was another 4 1/2 lengths to Barrier Reef (Mizzen Mast) in fourth, and Atta Boy Andy (Atticus), Run with Me (Delaware Township) and Red Reef (Red Bullet) rounded out the order of finish. The exotics yielded $25.40 (exacta) and $66.50 (7-2-6 trifecta).

The first registered foal out of the stakes-winning Capote mare Moonlightandbeauty, Giant Moon has an unnamed juvenile half-brother by Fusaichi Pegasus and a yearling half-brother by Unbridled's Song. His granddam, Stolen Beauty (Deputy Minister), captured the 1991 Demoiselle S. (GII). Giant Moon broke his maiden at Belmont Park in mid-September and captured the Sleepy Hollow S. over the same track in October. He entered the Count Fleet off a 1 3/4-length score in the December 9 Damon Runyon S. at Aqueduct.

Schosberg said Giant Moon could make his next start in the February 2 Whirlaway S., or they'll wait for Gotham S. (GIII) on March 8.

-Brisnet