Moon, Daredevil win

By the Moon and Daredevil won $500,000 stakes for 2-year-olds in the slop Saturday at Belmont Park in New York. By the Moon pulled a 24-1 upset in the Frizette for fillies, beating Wonder Gal by 2 ¼ lengths. The Champagne ran true to form when Daredevil, the 8-5 favorite, won by 2 ½ lengths over Upstart. Both races were Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” challenges, insuring the winners berths in the championships on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita. Condo Commando, the 4-5 Frizette favorite based on a pair of dominant victories, appeared to struggle on the wet track. That opened the door for By the Moon to spring the surprise with a $50.50 victory payoff. Jose Ortiz rode for trainer Michelle Nevin as By the Moon got her second victory in three starts. The time was 1:39.42 for the mile. The likelihood of a fast, very dry track at Santa Anita is also an issue for Daredevil. His two victories have come in the mud, and in the slop.

Wise Dan overcame a bad start and rallied in the stretch to win the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile by a length Saturday at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. In earning his second Shadwell victory in three years and record seventh stakes victory at Keeneland, the reigning two-time Horse of the Year qualified for this month’s Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita. Wise Dan’s 23rd career victory in 31 starts took work as he had his head turned at the start and followed early leader Silver Max. Jockey John Velazquez threaded Wise Dan through traffic and moved him outside at the final turn, where he surged through the stretch. Wise Dan ran the distance in 1:35.62 and paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10.