McLaughlin, Velazquez sweep stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Jockey John Velazquez and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin swept both divisions of the Grade 3 Pin Oak Valley View Stakes with upset winners when Bluegrass Princess and Eye of Taurus notched their first stakes wins on a breezy, overcast Friday afternoon at Keeneland.

Bluegrass Princess returned $17.20 after getting a good stalking trip in the . The Dynaformer filly put away the front-running even-money favorite, Silver Reunion, before gliding away to a two-length score over Single Solution, a 14-1 shot who was up in the final jumps to get second from Kiawah Cat.

Owned by Dell Ridge Farm, Bluegrass Princess finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:47 over a yielding turf. Exiting four straight stakes without a victory, she was winning for the third time in 12 career starts.

"She's been knocking on the doors," said Velazquez. "She's been in tough races, and she's always coming and coming. Today, finally she got it together and went on away from the group."

In the , Eye of Taurus was an even bigger surprise, returning $28.80 after out-gaming Miss Keller and jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva in a long stretch drive. Keertana, the 2-1 favorite, was third, while Haka, the 3-1 second choice, was never a factor when finishing seventh.

Eye of Taurus, owned by Harvey Clarke, won by a head when finishing in 1:46.49 for her fourth victory from 13 starts. She was coming off a second-level allowance victory over the Monmouth Park turf.

Velazquez "really rode a perfect race" when laying just off the pace before prevailing, said Neal McLaughlin, assistant to his brother.

After scratches, a total of 20 3-year-old fillies started in the two divisions.

Ontrack attendance was 9,977.