Within the case of filly Tennessee Moon, “residence” is the place her story actually begins.
Bred by Bluegrass royalty, Lexington’s Calumet Farm, Tennessee Moon started her profession in California, first with coach Leandro Mora, then with Doug O’Neill. The daughter of Calumet’s a number of Grade 1-winning sprinter Ransom the Moon did not earn a victory in 5 begins on the West Coast earlier than being bought privately to Emerald Downs-based coach Justin Evans. The change would assist.
In her Emerald Downs debut towards different maidens, she graduated by 13 lengths whereas working for an $8,000 claiming value. Out of the winner’s circle, she would head again to a brand new steady as she was claimed that day. From there, she could be adequate to be a constant pawn within the claiming sport, exchanging barns 5 extra instances earlier than touchdown in a spot she might lastly name residence; a spot she would discover her greatest stride.
Texas native Mark Hibdon first seen Tennessee Moon when she prevailed in a slugfest to the end line to win a $5,000 non-winners-of-three claiming race Oct. 21, 2023, at Delta Downs. The owner-trainer jumped on the alternative to safe the filly when she was dropped in for the $5,000 claiming value once more a few month later.
“I had been watching her,” Hibdon stated. “You’ll be able to see from her races she is a gutsy horse. I search for that once I’m claiming horses. Most horses simply go on the market and do what they must do however she type of takes it on herself, she needs to win.”
Tennessee Moon would stay as much as expectations in that subsequent race, rolling residence by 4 1/4 lengths within the five-furlong dust dash. Though she was the 6-5 favourite in that occasion, Hibdon was the one one who dropped a declare on the filly that day. That might be the final time Tennessee Moon would compete within the claiming ranks in 2023 or 2024.
“The individuals in our barn actually love her and take excellent of her,” Hibdon stated. “I feel she appreciates [staying in one barn]. She’s simply a type of horses within the barn that folks navigate towards; she’s a enjoyable horse. I feel that’s what makes it even higher, she’s that type of horse whether or not she wins or not. She’s going to get consideration as a result of she’s simply received that candy persona.”
Off the declare, Tennessee Moon stepped up at school and rewarded Hibdon with a decisive rating towards first-level allowance firm at Delta Downs to cap her 3-year-old season. Two weeks later, the filly streaked to her fourth straight win in what could be the start of a cross-country trip of a lifetime for Hibdon and his household.
By the point 2024 had drawn to an in depth, the older filly had registered extra wins than any horse within the nation for the yr. She posted 13 victories, posting a two-win benefit over Spikezone, not too long ago named Nationwide Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protecting Affiliation Claiming Horse of the 12 months.
The image of sturdiness, Tennessee Moon made 18 begins in 2024. She received from distances of 5 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. She competed at six completely different tracks in no matter race Hibdon felt suited his star filly greatest — starter allowances, allowance races, and even stakes races.
“We didn’t actually do something that I don’t with my different horses however I don’t have them going on the market and profitable 13 races,” stated Hibdon, who at the moment has a barn of 35 horses stabled at Delta Downs by means of the winter. “It’s all on her; she did it on her personal. All we did was deal with her and attempt to put her in the most effective spots we might and she or he did the remaining.”
Arguably the filly’s most interesting efforts got here in a three-race win streak at Arapahoe Park in Colorado. Regardless of the upper elevation — Arapahoe Park sits 5,896 toes above sea stage — Tennessee Moon thrived on the mountainside oval, rattling off a trio of victories by a mixed margin of 31 ¼ lengths. For Hibdon although, Tennessee Moon’s most memorable race was a race she misplaced.
Lining up for the largest purse of her profession within the $100,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper Stakes (run at starter-allowance circumstances) Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs, the filly paved the best way on the entrance finish for many of the race earlier than giving method late, simply getting nosed out for third.
Regardless of the loss, again on the barn Tennessee Moon was lavished with love and a focus after her gutsy efficiency.
“Going to Churchill was a lot enjoyable for us,” Hibdon stated. “We didn’t win however she ran her coronary heart out. We have been pleased with the best way she ran and dealt with it. I had my household with me. We simply made a complete journey out of it. We’ll keep in mind it ceaselessly.”
Tennessee Moon ended 2024 with seasonal earnings of $190,134, not unhealthy for a $5,000 declare. She not too long ago completed fourth within the Jan. 3 $75,000 Orleans Stakes at Delta Downs to open her 5-year-old marketing campaign. Hibdon stated she’ll probably get a well-deserved break earlier than gearing up for the season at Fonner Park.
“She’s introduced some consideration to herself this previous yr and she or he deserves it,” Hibdon stated. “Individuals are searching for her on the races now. It’s lots of enjoyable for everyone. Anyone that’s stood there on the fence and watched her run I feel type of appears like they’re part of it too.”