BC Contenders: Moonshine Mullin

Division: Classic

Name: Moonshine Mullin
Year Born: 2008
Sex: Horse
Sire: Albert the Great
Dam: Mullen Road
Broodmare Sire: Distant View
Trainer: Randy Morse
Owner: Randy Patterson

Profile: It may seem like that Moonshine Mullin has come out of nowhere to becoming one of the top older males in the US. However, in 2011 he chased Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) in his Jim Dandy (2nd) and Travers (6th) wins. The latter he finished ahead of Shackleford (Forestry). The Alysheba was not only his 1st graded stakes win, but the first time he had been in a gs since the 2012 Texas Mile where he finished 5th. He would show that was no fluke when he upset the defending Classic runner up Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song) in the Stephen Foster.

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Why he will win?: The top Classic horses this year are 3yo's. That being said, since 9 of the 29 individual winners have been three year olds. This comes out to to a percentage of 31%, if you include Tiznow's second win this percentage comes out to 30%. The Older Horses have been very inconsistent this year... with the exception of him.

Why he won't win?: A small injury knocked him out of a Charles Town race and hasn't worked since the end of July. No horse over the age of 5 has won the Classic, Moonshine Mullin is six. He also has to prove he can win outside of the Mid-West (his recent wins have been at Remington, Churchill and Oaklawn).

Will he win?: The Classic in theory is wide open. Sure Shared Belief will likely be the favorite for that race, but he isn't a lock. Keep in mind, pace could be a major factor this year and Moonshine Mullin could be a beneficiary to that. He is certinally a candidate to be in the top 5.

Race Recap: Stephen Foster Handicap

Randy Patterson's Moonshine Mullin (Albert the Great) put his name among the top Older Horses with a win in the Stephen Foster Handicap. Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song) was second rebounding from his poor effort in the Alysheba (which was won by the winner), Departing (War Front) third and Mylute (Midnight Lute) was fourth. Moonshine won the race after losing the lead on the turn, only to get it back. Trained by Randy Morse and ridden by Calvin Borel, this was Randy M.'s first G1 win.

Moonshine has 32 starts with 9 wins, 4 seconds and 4 thirds and earnings of $1,014,361. Bred by Dr. Russ Beran & Dick Johnson and out of the mare Mullin Road (Distant View).

Moonshine Mullin has now qualified for the Breeders' Cup Classic because of his Foster win.

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