Change in plans for Asi Siempre
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The way Asi Siempre galloped to victory on opening day of the Keeneland fall meet, no one could blame trainer Patrick Biancone for thoughts of grandeur. Biancone said soon afterward that Asi Siempre would run next in the Grade 1, $1 million E.P. Taylor at Woodbine on Saturday, but when the entries came out for Friday's $125,000 Valley View Stakes here, there was Asi Siempre heading the list.
"We changed our minds," said Biancone.
That change could spell big trouble for the other 10 3-year-old fillies scheduled to face Asi Siempre in the Valley View, a Grade 3 race run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. With Gary Stevens named to ride again, Asi Siempre drew post 1 and looks to repeat a terrific last race in which she defeated second-level allowance foes by 1 1/4 lengths on Oct. 7.
, owned by Martin Schwartz, broke a bit awkwardly that day but soon had things under control. With Stevens sitting chilly, she cruised into contention on the far turn and had dead aim on the leader by midstretch. Stevens still did not move a muscle as Asi Siempre proceeded to win.
The impressive victory led Biancone to announce that the E.P. Taylor, for fillies and mares, was up next. But hold that thought. "It was going to be a long trip and a much tougher race," said Biancone. "She is a young horse. She seems to like the track here, and this race looks like it's written for her. We want to have her right for all of next year."
If Asi Siempre does not run another big race Friday, the most likely upsetters would appear to be , with Rafael Bejarano riding for Kiaran McLaughlin, or Insan Mala, winner of a restricted stakes at Saratoga two starts back for trainer Christophe Clement.
This is the 15th running of the Valley View, named for Kentucky's oldest business, the Valley View ferry, which has operated since 1785. The Valley View is carded as the ninth of 10 races on a Friday program that also includes three allowances (races 6, 8, 10).
The remaining features at Keeneland this weekend also are for females: the Raven Run, for 3-year-olds, will be run Saturday, and the Dowager, for older fillies and mares, is set for Sunday.