Ask For The Moon Will Try to Go the Distance

Ask For The Moon can make amends for a disappointing U.S. debut when she takes on six opponents in today’s third race at Santa Anita.

Fifth as the 2-1 favorite in her first race in this country for trainer Laura de Seroux on Jan. 27, the 4-year-old Dr Fong filly will stretch out to 1 1/8 miles today and gets a new jockey, Gary Stevens, in the $65,000 allowance on the grass.

Ask For The Moon, the 2-1 favorite on the morning line, won five of eight in France, including the Prix Saint-Alary, a Group I, last May.

Considering the recent rain, the Santa Anita turf course will still have moisture in it and that should not bother the French-bred.

She won on courses labeled both soft and heavy overseas.

Other contenders in the race, which begins the pick six, include Belle Ange, Spark Sept and Midwife, who figures to be the pacesetter for owner-trainer Jedd Josephson under jockey Rene Douglas.

La Sami, Letra De Cambio and Star Vega complete the field.

Race of the day: Slam Bammy, who has won his first two starts impressively for owner Peter Congelosi and trainer Joe Orseno, will try to remain unbeaten against eight opponents as he stretches out to 1 1/16 miles in today’s eighth at Aqueduct.

Leading rider Rafael Bejarano will ride the 4-year-old Grand Slam gelding in the $46,000 allowance.

One for the road: Winning Flames debuts for high-percentage trainer Tim Hooper after a claim in today’s seventh at Oaklawn Park, a $16,000 claimer.

The 6-year-old Rinka Das gelding has won 10 of 63, four at today’s distance, 5 1/2 furlongs.

Roman Chapa will ride.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Daunting, Sanky Panky and Pavlosk in the fifth, Miss Bobbie Quick, Apology Accepted and Daily Forecast in the sixth, Haute Ransom in the seventh and Coyote Girl, Eden Simone and Fantastic Year in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/117. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13.60/$630.40. Total money bet: $768.