“THE MOOSE IS LOOSE!” I BELONG FIRST LIVES UP TO HER NAME

I Belong First showed promise from the get-go, enough to warrant her racing debut in a stakes race. After two 4th place finishes, trainer Megan Fadlovich and HMDC concurred that the lanky filly needed time off to grow into her frame. Good call. I Belong First returned as a 3-year-old and had certainly filled that frame. “She’s such a big horse we started calling her ‘Moose’ around the barn,” said Fadlovich.

I Belong First is the new “Big Horse” in the barn.

The Mapleton-bred daughter of Cowtown Cat races for HMDC and Tast of Victory Stables. She looked like she was going through the motions in her season debut, finishing a lack luster 6th. “She’s still maturing and coming into her own. Rocco (Bowen) has helped me over the years, and he was available to ride. In the paddock I didn’t give him any instructions but warned him that she can still act a little green, "Megan stated. It’s hard to get in trouble if you’re in front. When the gates flew open in the $33,900 maiden dash for Accredited-bred fillies and mares, Bowen put her right in the race from their outside post. For the first quarter mile, there were three across the track. Urged on, I Belong First found a fluid stride around the turn and pulled away from the field by 2 1⁄2 lengths. Finding herself alone on the lead was a new race day experience and Rocco had to steer I Belong First back in her lane twice, as they stretched out to an authoritative 5 3⁄4 length win.