King's preview: Strong field for Valley View

After clouds and rain for much of the past week in central Kentucky, the sun is finally shining, making for a good day of racing at Keeneland. Still, after all the precipitation, the turf course is expected to be yielding for Friday’s Grade 3 Valley View.

A 1 1/16-mile grass race for 3-year-olds, the Valley View is a dynamite race, both in terms of quality and betting options, even following three early scratches – Token of Love (#10), Daring Dancer (#12), and also-eligible Share the Sugar (#15). With Valseuse (#16) drawing into the race from the also-eligible list, this leaves the race with a field of 13.

This handicapper is giving a slight edge in the race to GOLDY ESPONY (#9, 6-1), who won 3 of 7 in France and before being brought to America. In one U.S. start, she ran sixth in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and was given a break thereafter. She has trained well since, including a sharp work on dirt at Keeneland.

The inconsistent but talented ROSALIND (#4, 8-1) is the second selection. She has run hot and cold this year but seems to thrive when based at Keeneland. She impressed Keeneland clockers with a sharp move on the grass Oct. 9, when she outworked classy stablemate War Dancer.

Spot Plays

Race 1: LEAP YEAR LADY (#4, 5-2) has worked quickly leading up to her first race, and her connections can probably feel comfortable running for maiden $50,000 with a horse who cost just $8,500 earlier this year.

Race 4: CAROLINA JASMINE (#7, 10-1) has trained well at Keeneland since a debut in which she made a strong middle move before flattening out to fifth. She adds Lasix, suggesting that she bled in that start, and improvement is anticipated the second time out.

Race 7: TOUTSIE RULES (#4, 6-1) continues to breeze nicely over this track, outperforming workmates, and might slip past the public. A first-timer, she offers value if she sticks to her 6-1 morning line.

Early Scratches

Race 1
#2 Daddy's Baby Girl

Race 4
#6 Pleasant Tales

Race 6
#4 Heart Doctor

Race 7
#3 Sayalilprayerforme

Race 9
#10 Token of Love
#12 Daring Dancer
#15 Share the Sugar