Munnings Filly Romps In Notebook
For the second time in her three career starts, Shoot It True (2f Munnings x To The Moon Alice, by Malibu Moon) visited the winner’s circle when she won the Notebook Stakes.
The Wesley Ward trainee was quick out of the gate in the six furlong dirt race and set the pace from the start. Kept well in hand by Frankie Dettori, she incurred some pressure around the turn and but once they reached the stretch she was let loose.
Urged for much of the stretch run, Dettori geared her down close to the line as she flashed under the wire 4 ¼ lengths ahead.
“He was very confident, my boss [Wesley Ward]. In fairness, he’s always confident, but he said she’s special. She broke really good and was good in the gate. Last time, she was a bit hot, but [today] she was very calm, broke well and got to the lead on her own terms pricking her ears,” said Dettori.
Racing for Ice Wine Stable and Smart Choice Stable, she was a $340,000 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga New York-Bred Yearling Sale purchase last year.
"I told Dave Reid the owner here that we were maybe about 80 percent fit, but she is a really, really good filly,” Ward said. “I think she is going to be a much better three, four-year-old filly. So this will be the last start of the year for her and we will bring her back in the spring. Won't see her again until either Keeneland in the spring or here in the spring."
Hailing from the Old Tavern Farm breeding program, Shoot It True is one of two winners from three to race out of Too The Moon Alice. That mare’s siblings include Grade II winner Unchained Melody with her dam also winning a Grade III as well.
Shoot It True is the 11th stakes winner of the year for Munnings with the stallion having two juvenile stakes winners and seven juvenile stakes performers this year.