Selenaia Much the Best in Santa Anita’s Honeymoon
Fresh off of an airplane from Lexington, Ky., Irish-bred Selenaia proved much the best among a field of eight sophomore fillies in the June 10 Honeymoon Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park as she sprinted to a 3 1/4-length victory under Joe Bravo. Trained by Kentucky-based Jonathan Thomas, Selenaia, in her first stakes engagement, got a mile and an eighth on turf in 1:48.18.
Breaking sharply, Selenaia was fourth under a snug hold, about 4 1/2 lengths off of Bob Baffert’s speedy Fast and Shiny as the field crossed the finish line for the first time. Fourth by a similar margin heading to the far turn, she pulled Bravo to the fore midway around the turn, made the lead a quarter-mile from the finish, and fairly sprinted to the wire under a hand ride in a most impressive Southern California debut.
Selenaia (IRE), b, 3/f
Sea The Moon (GER) — Dettoria (GB), by Declaration of War
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners or Madaket Stables LLC
Breeder: D. G. Iceton (IRE)
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Jockey: Joe Bravo
Information provided by Equibase at time of entry.
Pedigree Notes
Sea The Moon (GER) stands at Lanwades Stud for 22,500 Pounds (2021).
Sale History
TATOC22021 • $121,281 • Consignor: Baroda Stud • Buyer: Eclipse & Madaket Stables.
TATDEF2020 • $46,372 • Consignor: Tara Stud • Buyer: Avenue Bloodstock.
“I’ve never been on her before (but) I’ve seen her replays,” said Bravo. “Jonathan gave me a big heads up on her today and she broke away from there and was in control about it all. I really didn’t want to make the move down the backside. Man, she stretched out across the wire so beautifully.”
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables, Selenaia is now 3-0-0 from four starts with earnings of $106,230.
Broadway Girls , forwardly placed throughout, was second best on the day, finishing 2 1/4 lengths in front of race favorite Paris Secret .
Selenaia’s romp in the G3 Honeymoon @santaanitapark marked the 2nd Honeymoon win for @EclipseTBP as she joined Paved, who won it in 2018. Eclipse Pres/Founder @AronWellman7 also won it twice @hollyparkracing w LGL Racing w Three Degrees in 2005 & Valbenny in 2007. #EclipseFillies pic.twitter.com/b6AGsrpQ23
— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) June 11, 2023