Sky is the Limit for Hang the Moon in Frankel Stakes

CJ Thoroughbreds' dual graded stakes winner Hang the Moon , last of 12 in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, drops in class and is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita Park.

Notwithstanding her Breeders' Cup performance, late-running Hang the Moon has excelled in California this year after joining the West Coast stable of trainer Phil D'Amato. Before the Breeders' Cup, she won three of her first four races in the state, including the John C. Mabee (G2T) and Rodeo Drive (G2T) stake. She is also 2-for-2 on the Santa Anita grass, having taken the Rodeo Drive locally and an allowance optional claiming race when kicking off her California campaign this year.

Kazushi Kimura, aboard for both her two stakes triumphs and the Breeders' Cup, returns in the irons. Bred in Kentucky by Repole STable, Hang the Moon is a 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo—Moondance, by Malibu Moon.

D'Amato won the Robert J. Frankel Stakes previously in 2019 with Mirth .

Of the fillies and mares expected to oppose Hang the Moon in the 1 1/8-mile Frankel, graded stakes winners Mrs. Astor  and Mouffy , both trained by Jonathan Thomas for Augustin Stables, lead the way