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“I Love Kentucky Racing”: Sturgeon Moon Highlights Tyler Gaffalione’s Six-Win Day at Audubon Oaks
On Sunday at Ellis Park, Sturgeon Moon, owned by Oxo Equine, delivered an impressive late surge to claim victory, giving jockey Tyler Gaffalione his sixth win of the day.
Under the guidance of trainer Will Walden, Sturgeon Moon completed the seven-furlong race in 1:23.08 on the fast track.
The early pace was set by the longshot Viral Plane Woman, with the 8-5 favorite Princess Proud close behind. Princess Proud moved forward through the field along the rail, with both horses leading after a half-mile mark of 45.14. Though Princess Proud stayed inside, she was unable to hold off Sturgeon Moon’s powerful finish.
Gaffalione expressed his enthusiasm for Kentucky racing, saying, “I love Kentucky racing. The energy here is incredible. I believed she handled the distance well and really took to the seven-eighths.”
Princess Proud ultimately finished half a length ahead of Trusted Troutman. Trailing them were Viral Plane Woman, Holy Grove, Ran Camilla Ran, and Ruby.
Sturgeon Moon, a daughter of Instagram out of Marlera Legaire by Warrior’s Reward, is a Kentucky-based filly owned by Falaris LLC. This victory marked her third, following a third-place finish in the Indiana Oaks (G3) on July 5, improving her record to six starts with three wins, one second, and one third, with career earnings now totaling $253,005. She paid $6 for every dollar bet on her.
Gaffalione, who returned to racing at the track on July 19 in Henderson, Kentucky after a four-month break due to a left ankle injury, currently leads Ellis Park’s jockey standings with 21 wins. In addition to the Audubon Oaks win, he secured three other stakes victories that day with Ra ‘Cowboy’ Jones on Tumbarumba, Big Truzz in the Ellis Park Derby, and Comports in the Ellis Park Juvenile.
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Fan Take: Tyler Gaffalione’s remarkable six-win day at Ellis Park highlights the depth of talent in Kentucky racing and the thrilling competition on its tracks. This performance not only showcases Gaffalione’s comeback strength but also brings excitement and renewed attention to regional racing circuits, essential for growing the sport’s fan base and future stars.
