Super Strong Field for Forward Gal

One of the most intriguing groups assembled so far in 2015 line up in Saturday’s GII Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream Park. Jay Em Ess Stable’s By the Moon (Indian Charlie) boasts the field’s best credentials, having finished second to Condo Commando (Tiz Wonderful) and in front of next-out Grade I winner Angela Renee (Bernardini) in the GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga in August. The Michelle Nevin pupil became a highest-level winner herself when she splashed home at 24-1 in Belmont’s one-turn-mile Frizette S. Oct. 4, but faded to eighth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 1 after enduring a wide trip. “She had a terrible post,” Nevin said of the last outing. “It was very speed favoring that day. She kind of got going early out of the gate and got a little bit running free through the turn and blew the turn a little bit. That didn’t help. It was a lot of different things.” By the Moon’s recent Palm Meadows worktab is notably slow, but she is reportedly doing well. “She’s more experienced now,” Nevin noted. “She takes everything in stride and knows what’s happening around her. She didn’t grow a whole patch–she’s not a very big filly–but she definitely filled out. We’re happy with her.” Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer ships Regis Racing’s Seduire (Elusive Quality) in from California for this. The grey enters off back-to-back front-running wins in the Golden Gate Debutante S. Nov. 29 and Santa Anita’s GII Santa Ynez S. Jan. 3. “[The Santa Ynez] was nice,” Hollendorfer said. “She came away from the gate very smooth, and she has natural speed. [Rider Joel Rosario] doesn’t have to send her. We’ll see. Speed’s usually good at all the racetracks, and maybe it will be at Gulfstream, too.” Also coming off a graded tally is Phaedrus Flights LLC’s Ekati’s Phaeton (Tale of Ekati), who remained unbeaten in Hallandale when she posted a mild upset in the GIII Old Hat S. going six panels Jan. 3. “She couldn’t be doing any better,” Kaplan said. “She’s just a pro now. In a very short time, she’s become a professional racehorse. She’s got a ton of speed. We were up close [in the Old Hat], but she was well within herself. She’s a very fast filly.” A pair of fleet-footed “TDN Rising Stars” could add to the heat up front. Magnier, Tabor and Smith’s $950,000 BARMAR purchase Enchantress (Malibu Moon) streaked away from three next-out winners first up at Keeneland Oct. 4, but was a puzzling fifth at 1-2 in Aqueduct’s GIII Tempted S. the following month. She bounced back in a big way here with a five-length optional claiming romp over Momameamaria (Quality Road) going six furlongs Dec. 13. Albaugh Family Stable homebred Taylor S (Medaglia d’Oro), a half to local stakes winner and fellow ‘Rising Star’ Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song), is perfect going short, having run away with a Churchill optional claimer Nov. 29. She finished third behind subsequent GII Golden Rod S. winner West Coast Belle (Tapit) in that track’s one-mile Rags to Riches S. Oct. 26.