King: Keeneland horses to watch for week of Oct. 8, 2018

PROUD AS PUNCH
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Last race: Oct 5, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 3 1/2
Beyer: 64
Making his second start and first at a route he lost a few lengths with a tardy break but recovered to run competitively vs. straight maidens on turf. He advanced under urging to get in a stalking position into the first turn, and turned in a bit of a green performance while hung four wide.

VALADORNA
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last race: Oct 6, 8th
Finish: 5th by 3
Beyer: 96
A dirt filly for the bulk of her career, she shifted to turf racing this fall and has now responded with two consecutive promising efforts. First she ran second in the Ladies Turf at Kentucky and this time she ran a close fifth in the Grade 1 First Lady after chasing the pace three wide throughout. Figures to be tough if spotted back against a bit lesser going 1 1/16 miles or shorter on the grass.

MR. ANKENY
Trainer: Dale Romans
Last race: Oct. 6, 9th
Finish: 6th by 11
Beyer: 63
A promising 2-year-old who broke his maiden in fast time at Ellis Park Sept. 2, he seemed to become discouraged late after chasing the runaway winner in the Breeders’ Futurity, weakening to sixth. A class drop should follow, likely into the allowance ranks, and a cutback to a one-turn race would further aid his chances.

MY MERTIE
Trainer: Michele Boyce
Last race: Oct. 6, 2nd
Finish: 4th by 14 3/4
Beyer: 68
Jockey Carlos Marquez had to hop off for her to be loaded after she was reluctant to enter the gate, signaling a poor performance to come. Then once the race began she stayed in one gear, racing far below the form she exhibited over the summer at Arlington. Willing to give her another try on dirt, particularly if she gets class relief, perhaps going back in Chicago to race at Hawthorne.