Ask the Moon rolls to second straight G1 score

Malibu Moon’s Ask the Moon made all the running to win the $300,000 Personal Ensign I. (G1) by 2 3/4-lengths Sept. 3 at Saratoga, turning back repeated challenges to win her second Grade 1 of the meet. The 6-year-old mare won the 1 1/8 mile Ruffian H. by 5 3/4-lengths on July 31.

The distance of the 10 furlong Personal Ensign was another new challenge, but every time she was pressured, she gave more to jockey Javier Castellano’s urging, never letting any of her foes within a length at any point in the race.

“She has been here for about a week due to the hurricane,” said assistant trainer Heather Irion, who saddled the mare for trainer Marty Wolfson. “She obviously loves this track. She’s been amazing. We never dreamed she would do this when we claimed her. Marty loved her. He told me when he sent her over, ‘This filly is really special to me.’ But I think she has blown us away with two Grade 1 wins right off the bat.”

Irion was referring to Wolfson claiming Ask the Moon for $75,000 on behalf of Farnsworth Stables LLC on June 15 at Belmont Park.

“She improved,” Castellano added. “People said that maybe she got lucky last time. They let her go on the lead and stole the race. I don’t think so. She improved a lot, she’s a nice filly, she’s won two Grade 1s, and I’m glad to get on the filly.”

Ask the Moon is one of eight stakes winners that have accounted for 13 stakes wins for Malibu Moon, who is once again in the top 5 on the North American general sire list. With the $180,000 payday, Ask the Moon is her sire’s leading earner for the year.