Declan's Moon returns at Santa Anita

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Eclipse Award winner Declan's Moon will

make his 2005 debut on Saturday in the $200,000 Santa Catalina Stakes at

Santa Anita Park. A field of six three-year-olds will go to the starting gate in

the 1 1/16 mile race.

Declan's Moon will start from the outside post with Victor Espinoza in the

 saddle. The two-year-old champion of 2004 is owned by Jay Em Ess Stable

 and trained by Ron Ellis. The gelding won all four of his starts in 2004 and

 earned $507,300. After breaking his maiden at Del Mar in July, Declan's Moon

 reeled off three straight stakes victories. He closed his 2004 campaign with

a one-length win in the Hollywood Futurity.

Breaking on the inside of Declan's Moon will be top rival Going Wild. Going Wild

 has already recorded two wins this year at Santa Anita. He began his road to

the Kentucky Derby with a win in the San Miguel Stakes in January. More recently

 Going Wild captured the Sham Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. Rafael Bejarano comes in

 from the East Coast to ride. Going Wild is owned by Robert and Beverly Lewis

and trained by D. Wayne Lukas.

Completing the field for the Santa Catalina are Go Coyote Go, Snack, Juliesugardaddy

 and Spanish Chestnut.

The Santa Catalina Stakes is a prep race for the Santa Anita Derby on April 9.