Ellis Pleased With Work for Declan's Moon

Jay Em Ess Stable's Declan's Moon, the leading candidate to collect an Eclipse Award as the country's top juvenile of 2004 on Monday, worked a half-mile in a bullet :48 1/5 over Hollywood Park's fast main track.

Regular exercise rider Carlos Arias was in the saddle for the move, which was the first since the gelding won the Dec. 18 Hollywood Futurity (gr. I).

"I guess they gave him a half," trainer Ron Ellis said. "He really only went a little three-eighths. He just needed to stretch his legs a little bit.

"I caught him in :35 2/5 and galloping out in :48 1/5 so I guess they gave him that time. It was a really good work. He went the first eighth in :11 4/5 and then the next in :11 4/5 and then in the stretch he saw another horse and took off a little bit so he got the last eighth a little faster."

Declan's Moon, a Maryland-bred son of Malibu Moon  , established his position as the early Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite after an undefeated 2-year-old season that included victories in the Del Mar Futurity (gr. II), Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III) and Hollywood Futurity from four starts. He's earned $507,300.

According to Ellis, Declan's Moon will make his next start in the March 5 Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. II) at 1 1/16 miles and have his final prep for the Run for the Roses in the nine-furlong Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 9.

Ellis also said that B. Wayne Hughes' undefeated 3-year-old Don't Get Mad is on track to make his stakes debut in the Feb. 13 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II). The bay son of Stephen Got Even began his career in Kentucky, winning his only two starts by a combined 7 ¼ lengths before being sent to Ellis' care about a month ago.

"Tyler (Baze) came and worked him the other day and he went five eighths in 1:01 2/5," Ellis said. "He's a great horse to be around. He's very mature for a horse his age. He's right on schedule (for the San Vicente)."

After the San Vicente, Ellis said, Don't Get Mad will most likely head to the March 19 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) and wait for a possible meeting with his stablemate on the first Saturday in May.