Consistent Takethemoneyhoney, Passage East fire in Laurel races
The Biz- January 18, 2026
Bob Krangel says he’s been “very lucky” with Takethemoneyhoney, while Hugh McMahon says “divine supervision” has had a lot to do with Passage East’s success. Heaven or hell, the results spoke for themselves Saturday in Laurel Park.
Takethemoneyhoney has never been worse than second in eight career starts, while Passage East has been in the top three in all thirteen career outings.
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Takethemoneyhoney put in a dominant performance in the $100,000 Geisha Stakes, riding to a 6¼ length victory as overwhelming favourite. Ridden by Eliseo Ruiz, the 5-year-old mare slid flawlessly into the far bend and was never threatened. She completed the mile in 1:38.81.
The win was her third stakes score and sixth victory from just eight starts, continuing a remarkable run for the Maryland-bred trained by Michael Moore despite periodic health setbacks. She has earned over $311,000.
Breeder and co-owner Krangel, whose small Kasey K operation in New Jersey has produced outrageous results, also sent $788,000 worth of Twisted Ride on the same card. The explanation for their performance remains simple, Krangel said.
“People think I know what I’m doing,” he joked. “We are just very lucky.”
Earlier on the card, Passage East extended her own winning bow by winning the $100,000 What a Summer Overnight Handicap at six furlongs. Claimed by McMahon for $30,000 last winter, the Kentucky-bred filly kept the pace high before asserting herself down the stretch to beat Dwelling Legacy by three-quarters of a length in 1:11.90.
The win took her post-claim earnings above $350,000 and marked another step forward in a campaign marked by consistency and careful placement.
She has seven wins from thirteen career starts and has never been worse than third.
McMahon, unapologetically spiritual in his outlook, attributed powers beyond the fitness book.
“I’ve been careful with the filly, with a little divine supervision,” he said. “You can only calculate so much. There are many variables that are invisible and remain in the invisible domain. I am a man of prayer. We have been led from one race to another.”
Different paths, different philosophies and the same result: two striking performances from horses that always seem to shoot.
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