Moonlit Notion Captures $75K Coin Collector Stakes at Charles Town

On the weekend between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Charles Town sought to fill the void for those eager for 3-year-old stakes by hosting the latest

Coin Collector Stakes at Charles Town

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — On the weekend between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Charles Town sought to fill the void for those eager for 3-year-old stakes by hosting the latest renewal of the $75,000 Coin Collector Stakes for West Virginia-bred sophomores last Saturday night.

In the penultimate race on the Saturday card, Moonlit Notion (Larry Reynolds) lived up to his role as the overwhelming 1-9 favorite when he gained command between horses leaving the chute, maintained a modest advantage through the far turn then drew clear in the final furlong under mild urging to a three-length score.

A sophomore son of Great Notion out of the talented state-bred mare Moonlit Song, Moonlit Notion remained undefeated in five career outings by getting the 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.32 as the prohibitive choice. There was nearly $215,000 in the show pool, of which nearly $200,000 was plunged on Moonlit Notion.

Three races earlier, Humorous (Abnel Bocachica) forged a genuine 11-1 upset in a one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-bred males when he gained command leaving the chute then held safe 35-1 Juba'sdiamond for a head score. A sophomore son of Klimpt trained by Cynthia McKee for owner-breeder Beau Ridge Farm, Humorous graduated in his fifth seasonal outing and sixth try overall by getting the 4 1/2 furlongs in 53.82 as an overlooked outsider.

Then one race earlier, Judgement Day (Reynolds) just lived up to his role as the 8-5 favorite in a two-turn allowance for state-bred boys when he gained command along the fence through the clubhouse turn, then rebuffed an extended challenge from stablemate Prospective Love for a head score. A 4-year-old Divining Rod gelding trained by Tim Grams for owner-breeder Grams Racing, Judgement Day posted his second victory from four seasonal tries and now owns a 6-3-3 slate and over $140,000 banked from 15 career outings by getting the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:20.44 as the tepid choice.

One race earlier, Redhotchiliphilly (Grant Whitacre) just lived up to her billing as the 3-5 favorite in a one-turn allowance for state-bred fillies and mares when she surged to command at the head of the lane and held safe the late bid of 7-1 shot Party Time For Me for nearly a length tally. A sophomore daughter of Uncle Lino trained by Joey Martinez for owner-breeder Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette, Redhotchiliphilly recorded her third win in four career outings by getting the 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.78 as the odds-on choice.

Then one race earlier, Two Bronze Stars (Denis Araujo) lived up to his role as the 7-5 favorite in a two-turn allowance for state-bred older males when he gained command down the backside then held safe the late bid of 3-1 second choice Gimmesomesugar for a two-length score. A 4-year-old Mountaineer Cat gelding trained by Ronney Brown for owner,-breeder Starbenz Racing, Two Bronze Stars notched his third victory from six seasonal outings and now owns a 6-3-2 slate and over $110,000 banked from 20 career tries after getting the seven panels in 1:27.81 as the solid choice.

Friday races at Charles Town

One night earlier on the latter portion of the Friday card, Wish On Juba (Abnel Bocachica) lived up to his billing as the 8-5 favorite in a two-turn maiden special weight for state-bred boys when he gained command soon after the break and led throughout en route to a three-length score. A sophomore son of Juba, owned and trained by Anthony Lucas, Wish On Juba, graduated in his fifth career by getting 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:20.62 as the solid choice.

Three races earlier, No Brake Needed (Denis Araujo) delivered a mild upset in a two-turn maiden special weight for older males when he rallied from well off the pace and widest of all in the lane en route to a two-length score. A 4-year-old Accelerate gelding trained by Chris Keller for owner Twin Oaks Bloodstock, No Brake Needed graduated in his sixth seasonal try and 17th outing overall by getting the seven panels in 1:27.03 as the 8-1 fourth choice.

Then two races earlier, Ivyle