On a bright, typical Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, a five-time champion at this track, showcased his skill by guiding Moonspan to an impressive win in the 17th race, the $125,000 Ladies Turf Sprint. This victory marked Castellano’s fourth win of the day and was Moonspan’s fourth straight triumph, following her recent stakes win by a narrow margin over Abundantia at Gulfstream on December 27. Unlike that close race, Moonspan, a 5-year-old filly by Town and Country, confidently pulled away from her competition on the firm turf, finishing three lengths ahead in 55.51 seconds.
Reflecting on the day’s success, Castellano said, “It was a fantastic day. We’re fortunate to be racing and winning these events despite widespread weather-related cancellations around the country.” Earlier, he had also ridden winners Samaritan’s Joy ($11.20), Super Quest ($5.20), and Ninja Star ($6.40), with notable trainers like Gary Subrati, Hall of Famer Mark Casse, and Gustavo Delgado—who, with Castellano, teamed up for a Kentucky Derby victory in 2023.
At 48 years old and represented by agent Kevin Mayocks, Castellano has a remarkable track record, including a record five consecutive championship meets between 2011-2012 and 2015-2016. His highest number of wins in a single season was 132 in 2013-2014, a record later surpassed by Airado Ortiz Jr., who has led the standings six times, the most in Gulfstream history. Castellano remarked on the competitive field, “There were many strong contenders, but you never know how a race will unfold. I’m thankful for the support from trainers and my agent—it truly is a team effort, and I appreciate everyone backing me through this phase of my career.”
During the race, Moonspan broke cautiously from post seven with only Cart Girl Sam alongside. She quickly moved to the front, completing the first 400 meters in 22 seconds while multiple stakes winner Twirling Queen positioned herself just behind. Cart Girl Sam maneuvered to third, with long-shot Tree C’s Kai in fourth. Moonspan maintained her lead at the half-mile mark in 43.98 seconds and, responding to Castellano’s urging, surged ahead to win decisively. Luamazonia finished second, followed closely by Flamingo Way and Twirling Queen.
Castellano praised Moonspan’s quick start out of the gate, highlighting it as a key advantage. He noted, “She always explodes right when the gates open, gaining a two-length lead early. Managing the pace, especially the first quarter, was crucial since her usual time is around 23 seconds. When the competition chased us in the second quarter, I let her extend herself, and though we had concerns at the half-mile, she still had plenty left.” He added that Moonspan is improving steadily, showing greater focus and composure.
Moonspan’s trainer Brian Lynch celebrated his eighth stakes win at this championship meet and his second in the Lady Turf Sprint following Stone Silent’s win earlier in 2024. Lynch praised the team’s hard work and expressed excitement about the prospects for the rest of the meet. He plans to return Moonspan to the Captiva Island race on March 14 for another chance to shine in the Old Mares and Mares Turf Sprint Series. Lynch noted the filly’s development, saying, “She left hard today and changed easily, showing there’s more potential. She’s grown bigger and stronger and is more composed early on.”
Moonspan was bred in Kentucky by Jack Liebau Sr. and is out of Malibu Moon’s mare Moonlit Bay.
This article originally appeared on February 7, 2026, in the Paulick Report’s News section.
Fan Take: This win reaffirms Javier Castellano’s enduring excellence and highlights Moonspan as a rising star in turf sprint racing. For horse racing enthusiasts, these performances signal exciting competition ahead and the continued emergence of talented horses and jockeys who keep the sport thrilling and dynamic.
