Hang The Moon Breeders’ Cup Bound After G2 Rodeo Drive Win

It was an international double for Uncle Mo on Saturday when Hang The Moon (4f Uncle Mo x Moon Dance, by Malibu Moon) won the Grade II Rodeo Drive to earn a spot in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf only hours after Mouffy won a Grade II in Canada.

Running over 1 ¼ miles on the Santa Anita turf, Hang The Moon broke well and was happy to take up the running in the back of the field after securing a spot on the rail. Hang The Moon didn’t make many moves at the back as a runaway leader set the pace over 10 lengths ahead of her.

That runner finally came back to the field at the top of the stretch at the same time that Hang The Moon flew up the middle of the track. Showing a huge turn of foot, the filly easily won by 1 1/2 lengths with Justify’s Grade I winner Aspen Grove in second.

“She did a great job coming from behind,” jockey Kazushi Kimura said. “I really didn’t change anything from last time (in the Mabee). I just took it easy and slow for the first part. She responded to me well. She finished up strong and I’m happy with that.”

Trained by Philip D’Amato for CJ Thoroughbreds, the Repole Stable-bred was winning her second straight Grade II after a victory in the John C. Mabee Stakes last out. In all, she has five wins and two other top three finishes in 12 starts.

From the family of Grade I winner Beach Patrol, Hang The Moon is one of three winners from three runners out of the winning Malibu Moon mare Moondance. Moondance is full sister to Grade II placed Cue the Moon and half-sister to multiple stakes winner Red Hot Buddha and stakes placed Knockout Bertie.

Farther down the page are Grade II winners Hurricane Bertie and Allamerican Bertie.

Uncle Mo has seen his runners win three Breeders’ Cup races, including his two-time Breeders’ Cup winning studmate Golden Pal.