In a bizarrely run rendition of the $201,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2T), Hang the Moon proved best with a scintillating last-to-first victory Oct. 5 at Santa Anita Park.
"For the first time in my life I have no idea what to say," said CJ Thoroughbreds' Michael Joyce.
Hang the Moon, one of 12 fillies the fledgling partnership purchased, has now thrown her hat in the ring for the most prestigious showdown of them all in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The 4-year-old Uncle Mo filly, a $200,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale buy in 2021, earned her slot in the starting gate with her Rodeo Drive win, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event for the Nov. 2 $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).
A 20-1 upset winner of the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) last time out for trainer Phil D'Amato, Hang the Moon was still relatively dismissed on the tote board at 9-1 for the Rodeo Drive. Ridden back by Kazushi Kimura, Hang the Moon trailed the field as the race played out in peculiar fashion up front.
"We had the right strategy for Hang the Moon," said D'Amato. "We planned to do the same thing as we did last time, sit back and come with the run. She came with a monstrous run late. It was a weirdly run race. I thought my other filly, Lucky Girl, would sit back there with Hang the Moon, and she ended up being on the lead early."
Impressive Del Mar Oaks (G1T) winner Iscreamuscream blew the first turn of the 1 1/4-mile event and eventually lost her lead to Lucky Girl. The latter, typically a come-from-the-behind sort, had stolen the advantage and opened up three lengths at the six-furlong marker. Into the lane, however, the field swallowed up the unexpected pacesetter as Aspen Grove on the rail and Hang the Moon on the far outside stormed to the wire.
Hang the Moon swept past a battling Aspen Grove and crossed the finish line on top by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:58.58 over a firm turf course.
"My heart was in my stomach for a minute because I didn’t know how this was going to work out," said Joyce. "But then she starts that move on the turn and you see her ramping that kick up.
"(Kimura) knows exactly what this filly has. And once he starts moving on her she gives it to him."
East Coast invader Aspen Grove, shipping in for the barn of Jack Sisterson, held runner-up honors by three-quarters of a length over South African import Beach Bomb.
Favored Iscreamuscream, previously undefeated for D'Amato, finished fourth in her debut against older fillies and mares.
Hang the Moon ($21.80) picked up her second consecutive graded stakes win and bumped her bankroll to $427,913.
Bred in Kentucky by Repole Stable, Hang the Moon is one of three winners produced from the Malibu Moon mare Moondance.
