ALLNIGHT MOONLIGHT STORMS HOME IN THE $75,000 STEMMANS MEMORIAL (Photos: Hodges Photography)

OPELOUSAS, LA – Allnight Moonlight navigated through traffic and charged home strongly to take the $75,000 Don Stemmans Memorial Stakes on Saturday night.  The race for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds and upward was contested at a mile and a sixteenth over a turf course rated firm. 

Calicoco was away sharply and was hustled to get to the front as expected, with Boss of All Bosses in close attendance.  Jockey Isaac Castillo and Allnight Moonlight were away in good order and settled in mid-pack as the field covered the opening quarter-mile in 23.99 seconds and a half-mile split in 48.73.  Moving to the far turn Boss of All Bosses moved forward to challenge Calicoco for the lead with Fran’s Star putting in a short-lived bid.  Castillo and Allnight Moonlight were ready to attack but desperately needed some racing room.

Turning for home Boss of All Bosses took command while Allnight Moonlight found a seam and tipped out into the center of the track in a handy move by Castillo.  Allnight Moonlight collared Boss of All Bosses inside the 1/16thpole and raced away to win by two lengths, with Good and Stout another 3-1/4 lengths back in third, just a head better than Big Chopper.  The winner stopped the clock in 1:44.69.

Owned by Roger Smith and trained by Sam Breaux, Allnight Moonlight is a winner for the 12th time in 32 career starts.  He earns $45,000 with the big effort and increases his career earnings to $640,180.

Bred by Coteau Grove Farms, LLC, Allnight Moonlight is a 6-year-old bay gelding sired by Ransom the Moon.  He is out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Gingertini.