Queen Del Valle has good chance to extend streak

Juveniles will take center stage Friday at Gulfstream Park, when four of the nine races carded are for 2-year-olds. The third race, a $35,000 starter optional-claiming race for 2-year-old fillies, is the only one open to winners.

Queen Del Valle is going for her third straight win and looks like the one to beat in the third race, a 7 1/2-furlong dash on turf that drew seven horses.

Queen Del Valle made her debut on the main track in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race June 24, and she ran a decent race, finishing third in the five-furlong sprint at Gulfstream for trainer Antonio Sano.

Acting on behalf of Big Lick Farm, trainer Reid Nagle claimed her out of the race, and in her first start for her new connections she romped going five furlongs on turf in a $35,000 maiden-claiming race July 22. Proving it was no fluke, she ran an almost identical race when she forced the issue early before drawing away to win a $35,000 starter optional-claiming race going five furlongs Sept. 2 at Gulfstream.

Queen Del Valle should be able to handle the added distance of Friday’s race. She is out of the multiple stakes winner Ladyecho, who placed in the Grade 2 Cotillion.

Queen Del Valle drew post 3, from where Edgard Zayas will likely put her into the race early.

Deputy Dora paid $137.20 when she won her debut going five furlongs on turf in a $35,000 maiden-claiming race for trainer Larry Bates on Sept. 2 at Gulfstream. With Juan Leyva aboard, she rallied into to a wicked pace to win by a neck.

She drew the rail Friday with Leyva retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Queen Del Valle, by Baryshnikov

Last 3 Beyers: 62-66-31

◗ With the pace likely to be moderate, the shape of the race should work in her favor.

Deputy Dora, by Caleb’s Posse

Beyer: 59

◗ She took advantage of an extremely fast pace to win her debut, but they aren’t going to be going as fast during the early stages here. Nonetheless, she figures to move forward with the experience behind her.

◗ She is a half-sister to a couple of route winners, so she could thrive at the distance.

Shack Up, by Shackleford

Beyers: 51-40

◗ Trained by Mark Casse, she took a big step forward in her second start and is the only horse in the field with a win going around two turns.

Martha’s Valentine, by First Dude

Last 3 Beyers: 61-61-22

◗ Trained by Michelle Nihei, she improved when she moved to turf and is coming off a runner-up finish in a similar race Aug. 12.