Donegal Momentum Romps to ‘Rising Star’ Honors
It was a 17th Thoroughbred Daily News Rising Star for Uncle Mo on Thursday when Donegal Momentum (3c Uncle Mo x Moon Dash, by Malibu Moon) won on debut in a Belmont at the Big A Maiden Special Weight.
Debuting over six furlongs on the dirt for Donegal Racing and trainer Tom Morley, Donegal Momentum was one of the first horses out of the gate and quickly entered a three-way duel for the lead. That duel turned into a two-horse race around the turn with Donegal Momentum racing the widest of the duo around the track. At the top of the stretch, Javier Castellano released the race favorite and Donegal Momentum bolted away from the field.
The 3-year-old won by a comfortable 8 ¼ lengths with the third placed runner 10 ¼ lengths behind the winner.
Bred by Speedway Stable, the $375,000 Keeneland September Yearling graduate was offered by Stone Farm.
This is the second foal out of the stakes-placed Moon Dash, who is out of the stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed In The Slips. This family includes Grade I Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues and Grade II winner Matenro Sky.
Moon Dash was bred to Uncle Mo’s champion studmate Corniche last year.
This is one of 25 winners for Uncle Mo out of Malibu Moon mares with the six stakes performers led by Grade II winner Celestial City.
A.P. Indy granddaughters producing 10 stakes winners and 20 stakes performers by Uncle Mo, including three Grade I winners – including Coolmore stallion Mo Town.