It took apprentice Madeline Rowland one race to get acquainted with Bahamian Moon, a second-place finish at the Meadowlands on Oct. 8. Her second try aboard the 5-year-old mare came yesterday at Gulfstream Park, and resulted in a 1 1/4-length victory, the seventh in the career of the daughter of Bahamian Squall. 

    Rowland, a hot candidate for the apprentice of the year Eclipse Award, put Bahamian Moon on the lead out of the gate in the $52,000 allowance optional claimer at five furlongs over the Tapeta track. They passed the furlong markers in :21.70 and :44.32, holding even-money favorite Fulton Market at bay the entire trip.

    She was clocked in :56.47, just one second off the track record for the distance, and paid $21.40, while recording an ‘E’ speed figure of 86, her second best ever. Bahamian Moon, bred by Good Beginnings Farm, raised her record to 7-8-1 in 25 starts, and the winner’s check of $31,900 lifted her earnings to $177,959, with $112,915 coming this year.