Pacific Heat, Cheekaboo give Eurton strong hand in Fran's Valentine

ARCADIA, Calif. – Pacific Heat and Cheekaboo, stakes winners trained by Peter Eurton and sired by the late Unusual Heat, face contrasting challenges Sunday in the $125,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita.

Pacific Heat is a front-runner racing a mile on turf in a field of California-bred fillies and mares that includes at least two others with the same style – Roo’s Valentine and Desert Steel. Pacific Heat must ration her speed, which she did not do in her runner-up comeback.

“She was a little precocious, a little aggressive,” Eurton said. “She’s so talented and competitive. Put those two together, and sometimes you get a little overaggressive, especially off a long layoff.”

Pacific Heat, a three-time stakes winner, is likely to be more cooperative in her second start back. If she decides otherwise, the Fran’s Valentine might set up for the second Eurton trainee with an opposite style.

Cheekaboo is a late runner with an indifferent attitude. Following her most recent start, jockey Flavien Prat said, “She’s running about 85 percent.”

Cheekaboo needs to wake up. Eurton hopes an equipment change is the remedy for Cheekaboo, a Grade 2 winner last year who will wear blinkers Sunday for the first time in a race. Eurton said the reason is “to get her a little more focused, a little more on the bridle.”

Nine fillies and mares were entered in the Fran’s Valentine, which is loaded with pace. In addition to stakes winner Roo’s Valentine and stakes-placed sprinter Desert Steel, Ticaboo and stakes-winning sprinter Smoove It also have speed.

Others in the Fran’s Valentine, the last of nine races Sunday, are Shehastheritestuff, Top Notch, and Moonless Sky.

Sunday is part a big month for Eurton. Kobe’s Back was to run Saturday in the Grade 2 Kona Gold, Ashleyluvssugar runs May 28 in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham, and 2016 champion 2-year-old filly Champagne Room returns to the Eurton stable on June 10 after surgery for a bone chip.

KEY CONTENDERS

Pacific Heat, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 86-79-81

◗ She won 4 of 6 before being sidelined with what Eurton generically described as a “sprained ankle.” Her runner-up comeback April 19 was her first start in a year.

◗ Pacific Heat is reunited with Prat, who rode her to stakes wins last year in a dirt sprint and a turf route.

◗ Eurton said the filly’s runner-up comeback “did her a lot of good physically as well as mentally.”

Cheekaboo, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-82

◗ She is reunited with Mike Smith, who rode her to a 23-1 upset last June in the Grade 2 Honeymoon Stakes.

◗ Cheekaboo wore blinkers all week while training up to the Fran’s Valentine, though Eurton does not expect her to be forwardly placed.

◗ She finished fifth last out in a second-level allowance won by the promising European import September Stars.

Roo’s Valentine, by Vronsky

Last 3 Beyers: 92-88-65

◗ The expected pacesetter, she is trained by Kristin Mulhall and will be ridden by Martin Pedroza.

◗ She finished second last out in a California-bred dirt stakes won by Skye Diamonds.