Sunset Glow heads deep field in Valley View
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Breeders’ Cup horses have had their prep races. Now, Keeneland horseplayers can have a prep of sorts, too.
The Grade 3 Valley View Stakes on Saturday provides a fitting preview of the Breeders’ Cup betting scenario. Fourteen well-matched 3-year-old fillies will create a wide range of opinions, mimicking what bettors will experience here next weekend when the 32nd Breeders’ Cup is run at Keeneland.
The morning-line favorite for the $150,000 Valley View is 4-1, which tells you all you need to know about its depth and competitiveness. Sunset Glow, second last fall in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, has been assigned that tenuous role in what is shaping up to be a terrific 25th running of the 1 1/16-mile turf race.
Beyond her, there’s a wealth of similar talent, with Osaila, Include Betty, Gap Year, Mrs McDougal, and Don’t Leave Me among the fillies likely to take their fair share of tote action.
Gap Year, a Godolphin homebred, comes off an authoritative victory in a turf allowance on closing day at Saratoga. The Bernardini filly already has a history at Keeneland, winning a maiden race here last fall after finishing unplaced with a tough trip in the Grade 1 Alcibiades in her second career start.
“She’s become a very nice filly since we put her on the turf,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “Obviously, this is a tough field, but we love our chances.”
The Valley View, the ninth of 10 races Saturday, helps close out the regular 17-day fall meet. The next day of live racing here is the Prelude to the Cup on Oct. 29, followed by the two Breeders’ Cup dates (Oct. 30-31).
First post Saturday is 1:05 p.m. Eastern, with the Valley View set for 5:30. Three allowances (races 4, 7, and 8) also are on tap.
Key contenders
Sunset Glow (Last 3 Beyers: 89-89-90)
* Set to go through the auction ring here Nov. 3, this handy gray filly has been productive and consistent for trainer Wesley Ward despite going winless since capturing the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante last summer.
Osaila (Last Beyer: 83)
* Irish-bred filly gets first-time Lasix while making her first start for Todd Pletcher in her second sojourn across the pond. Her two stateside starts resulted in a third in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall and a fifth in the Sands Point Stakes last month at Belmont Park.
Include Betty (Last 3 Beyers: 82-86-89)
* One of the most intriguing fillies in the lineup also is the richest, having banked more than $700,000 while competing primarily on dirt for Tom Proctor. The switch to turf clearly is the biggest question this stretch runner must answer.
Gap Year (Last 3 Beyers: 87-88-65)
* Always highly regarded, this filly might well have found a home on the grass if that powerhouse last-out triumph in New York is any indication. She will have Joel Rosario in for the return ride.
Mrs McDougal (Last 3 Beyers: 82-91-91)
* This expensive Medaglia d’Oro filly, an okay sixth behind divisional standout Sentiero Italia in the Sands Point, has flashed some ability for Chad Brown, as evidenced by her high Beyers. She will be looking to overcome post 13.