Moonshine Mullin Rallies Up the Rail to Win 11th Running of the Alysheba

May 03, 2014

Randy Patterson's Moonshine Mullin re-rallied at the sixteenth pole to overtake Golden Ticket to win by a half-length in the 11th running of the $342,000 Alysheba (Grade II) Presented by Besilu Stables for 4-year-olds and up.

Trained by Randy Morse and ridden by Calvin Borel, Moonshine Mullin covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in 1:42.83.

Moonshine Mullin took the lead out of the gate and posted fractions of :23.84, :47.81 and 1:11.79 with Appealing Tale in closest pursuit and Golden Ticket racing third. Turning for home Joel Rosario sent Golden Ticket after Moonshine Mullin and the two raced as a team to mid-stretch with Golden Ticket taking the advantage.

However, at the sixteenth pole, Borel maintained his position next to the rail and surged back to grab the lead and pull away to the victory.
The victory was worth $205,679 and increased Moonshine Mullin's bankroll to $685,513 with a record of 31-8-4-5.

Moonshine Mullin is a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Albert the Great out of the Distant View mare Mullen Road.

Moonshine Mullin returned $15.80, $7.40 and $5.40. Golden Ticket paid $5.80 and $4.80 with Coin Broker finishing 3 ¾ lengths back in third under Corey Lanerie and paying $9.80 to show.

It was another 1 ¼ lengths back to Mylute, who was followed in order by Bradester, favored Will Take Charge, Golden Soul and Appealing Tale.

ALYSHEBA QUOTES

CALVIN BOREL, rider of Moonshine Mullin (winner) – 'I won a race with this horse at Oaklawn (April 11) the day before the favorite (Will Take Charge) ran his race in the Oaklawn Handicap. My horse had better numbers; he ran a better race. I had a lot of confidence in him today and I rode him that way. The plan was to stay on the rail, get to the front and slow it down as much as I could. We were going along at a pretty good clip, but my horse felt good. That other horse (Golden Ticket) came up outside me and actually stuck his head in front. I was giving my horse a breather, but I picked his head up and went at 'em again. He was game and we got it done.'

RANDY MORSE, trainer of Moonshine Mullin (winner) – 'It was a great ride by Calvin (Borel) and this year he has been a better horse. The only change we have made is that we just started to let him run. He has a high cruising speed and that seems to be working. I am not sure where we will run next but we are just going to try and enjoy this one.'

JOEL ROSARIO, rider of Golden Ticket (second) – – 'I thought I was going to get there. But that other horse didn't stop. Calvin (Borel) is tough on the rail.'

COREY LANERIE, rider of Coin Broker (third) –'He ran an awesome race. He's getting better this little horse.'

GARY STEVENS, rider of favored Will Take Charge (sixth) –'He was on the inside before but he didn't seem to be enjoying it down in there. I squeezed on him midway down the backside to be able to get out on him. He got into a nice rhythm and then, boom, he got pressure again on the outside, was forced down inside and he just wasn't lengthening like his normal self. Shortening up to a mile and a sixteenth today off the good mile and an eighth, he's had a good last couple of efforts so I really don't have any excuse for him.'

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