Racing


Emperor Valerian Gets Second Distance Series Win in Moonstone on Sunday
Emperor Valerian, under jockey Alex Baldillez, Jr., winning the Moonstone Stakes at Hialeah Park Sunday afternoon.

© Coady Photography
Emperor Valerian Gets Second Distance Series Win in Moonstone on Sunday

HIALEAH, FL—JANUARY 17, 2015—In the Moonstone Stakes, the second leg of the Hialeah Distance Series, post time favorite Emperor Valerian drew clear late under confident handling by jockey Alex Baldillez, Jr. to beat The Star Alert by one-half length at the wire.

The winner covered the unique 660 yards of the Moonstone in 32.370 seconds to pocket the $16,350 winner's paycheck. Anna Marie Crowson saddled the 7-year-old Heza Fast Dash gelding for owner Rancho Los Dos Potrillos, LLC.

Winning trainer Anna Marie Crowson and jockey Alex Baldillez Jr., accept the Moonstone Stakes trophy at Hialeah Park Sunday. © Coady Photography
Emperor Valerian was bred in Oklahoma by Kelly/Yearley Equine, LLC. The brown gelding's record stands at (35) 10-5-7 with earnings of $231,517.

Romon Correa's The Star Alert earned $5,450 for second. Sergio Concepcion trans with Benny Laneros riding. Hersehl Cole bred the Beat The Feet (TB) 9-year-old in Oklahoma from the Raise A Gamble mare Lil Gamble Star.