Joseph Considers 3-Year-Old Stakes for Moonlite Strike
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson
Moonlite Strike (inside) wins an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park
Sonata Stable's Moonlite Strike is likely to pursue Gulfstream Park's stakes series for 3-year-olds next year following a head victory over stablemate Kiger in a Dec. 10 allowance optional claiming race there.
The 2-year-old son of Liam's Map withstood race-long outside pressure, running a mile on a fast track in 1:38.96 under Edgard Zayas. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee, now 2-for-3, paid $4.80 on a $2 win wager.
"All races are under consideration. Kiger didn't win, so he'll probably go back in one of those (optional claiming allowances) again, just because we have the option to develop him more. There are only stakes for Moonlite Strike," Joseph said.
According to Joseph, options include the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes over a one-turn mile Jan. 2 and the $200,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Jan. 30 over 1 1/16 miles.
Coming off a two-length maiden win in the slop at Gulfstream Park West, Moonlite Strike turned back a steady run from Kiger through the stretch. Hercules finished third, 5 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up.
Bred in Kentucky by Brushy Hill, Moonlite Strike is the lone winner out of the War Chant mare Twinkling. He twice fell short of his reserve in 2-year-old sales this year after being purchased for $120,000 by Marc Tacher from the South Point Sales Agency consignment at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.