In a heart-pounding finish, Jay Em Ess Stable’s homebred Full Moon Madness unleashed a powerful late surge under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., to capture Saturday’s $100,000 Alapocas Run Stakes at Delaware Park. The bay gelding nailed a determined Buccherino at the wire, winning the six-furlong sprint by a neck.
The race unfolded with Sunny Breeze breaking sharply and establishing the early lead, setting brisk opening fractions of 22.70 for the quarter-mile and 46.20 for the half. Buccherino, bumped at the start, quickly recovered to press the pace from the outside, never more than a length from the leader.
Meanwhile, Ortiz, Jr. had Full Moon Madness settled comfortably in a stalking position, watching the duel unfold from the two-path. As the field rounded the far turn and straightened for home, Buccherino, under Paco Lopez, put his head in front, taking command as Sunny Breeze faded after the demanding pace.
For a moment in the stretch, Buccherino looked like a winner. He dug in gamely and opened a clear lead, but Ortiz, Jr. had timed his move perfectly. He angled Full Moon Madness out for a clear run, and the son of premier stallion Into Mischief responded with a dramatic closing kick, inhaling ground with every stride.
In the final, thrilling sixteenth of a mile, he collared the tiring Buccherino to secure the victory in a final time of 1:11.02 over the fast main track.
“He responded right when I asked him,” said winning trainer Michelle Nevin. “The pace was honest up front, and he showed a lot of heart to run down a very game horse in Buccherino. Irad gave him a perfect trip.”
Damon’s Mound trailed the field early and put in a solid late run to get up for third, 1 ½ lengths behind the runner-up. Sunny Breeze held on for fourth.
The victory marked a significant stakes win for Full Moon Madness, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding who has consistently performed at a high level. The win boosted his career earnings and solidified his status as a formidable sprinter.
Scratched Horse(s): My Handsome Man (Trainer)
Fractional Times: 22.70, 46.20, 58.60
Final Time: 1:11.02
Winning Connections
Winner: Full Moon Madness
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Michelle Nevin
Owner: Jay Em Ess Stable
Breeder: Jay Em Ess Stable
Bloodline: Bay Gelding, by Into Mischief out of By the Moon, by Indian Charlie. Foaled Mar 28, 2020 in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Into Mischief stands at Spendthrift Farm, in Lexington, KY ($250,000 Live Foal)
Payouts
1st – (4) Full Moon Madness – Win: $5.80, Place: $3.00, Show: $2.10
2nd – (6) Buccherino – Place: $2.80, Show: $2.10
3rd – (1) Damon’s Mound – Show: $2.20
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (4-6) Paid: $9.20 | $1.00 Trifecta (4-6-1) Paid: $18.90 | $1.00 Superfecta (4-6-1-3) Paid: $56.10
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