Moonlit Song tries to start new streak in Sylvia Bishop Memorial

Moonlit Song’s run of dominance was knocked off course in her last start, but she will look to begin a new winning streak Saturday in the $50,000 Sylvia Bishop Memorial Stakes at Charles Town.

A daughter of Fiber Sonde, she will be part of a full gate of 10 West Virginia-bred sophomore fillies traveling seven furlongs.

Moonlit Song had won five races in a row before a stumble at the start led to a fourth-place finish in a July 27 allowance at Charles Town. She was promoted to third when runner-up Honeymoon Cruise was disqualified for interference.

The Sylvia Bishop will be the filly’s first test at seven furlongs, but her five-race winning streak included a 3 1/2-length score at 6 1/2 furlongs, which offers hope she can get the extra sixteenth in Saturday’s race. Moonlit Song breezed four furlongs in 49.60 seconds Aug. 17 at Charles Town.

Regular rider Christian Hiraldo will have the mount aboard Moonlit Song for owner, trainer, and co-breeder Timothy Grams.

Challenging Moonlit Song from the inside post will be Honeymoon Cruise, an Archarcharch filly who came up the rail and was beaten a head July 27. She was disqualified to fifth for cutting off a rival in the stretch.

Seven furlongs has proven to be a strong suit for Honeymoon Cruise, who has won three of four starts at the distance. She breezed three furlongs in 36.60 on Aug. 12 at Charles Town.

Arnaldo Bocachica will ride Honeymoon Cruise for owner Debbie Rhodes and trainer Jeff Runco.

Lies and Scandals won that July 27 allowance race for her third straight win, all 6 1/2-furlong allowances at Charles Town. She breezed a bullet three furlongs in 35 seconds on Aug. 23.

John McKee owns, trains, and bred Lies and Scandals. Fredy Peltroche will have the riding assignment.