Surge Capacity rides rail to Valley View victory

Surge Capacity saved ground all the way and emerged from the pocket in the stretch to surge to victory in the Grade 3, $300,000 Valley View Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf Friday at Keeneland.

Surge Capacity ($12.16) and Joel Rosario were snug on the inside and never more than 2 1/2 lengths back as Yesternight, intently tracked by Heavenly Sunday, took the field through sharp splits of 22.90 for the quarter, 47.74 for the half, and 1:12.18 for six furlongs on a turf course that was officially rated firm, but had seen light precipitation overnight and earlier Friday.

Turning for home, Yesternight gave way, and Rosario was forced to briefly steady his filly. Surge Capacity quickly regained her stride, and when tipped out a few paths, quickly wore down Heavenly Sunday to surge clear by three-quarters of a length at the wire. It was just another half-length back to Bling in third.

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“Turning for home, I was trying to continue in my spot, and two horses kind of blocked me in and left me on the inside a little longer,” Rosario said. “But she proved she was the best horse, and Chad Brown is an excellent trainer. She’s a fighter all the time, a really tough horse, and she likes to run.

The time for the mile was 1:35.80.

Surge Capacity, who only debuted in June for Brown, has quickly risen through the ranks since her maiden win. She immediately graduated to graded company to win the Grade 3 Lake George at Saratoga, followed by a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Lake Placid.

One race later, the promising Youalmosthadme cut back in distance to win as she pleased in the Myrtlewood Stakes for juvenile fillies, drawing clear by seven lengths.

Youalmosthadme ($5.86), with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons for Brad Cox, finished her six furlongs on the dirt rated fast in 1:10.67.

Youalmosthadme won her first two starts, including the Kentucky Juvenile, then was third after stumbling at the start of the Ellis Park Debutante - behind Hot Beach, who chased her home in second Friday. More recently, she was a creditable second when trying the one-turn mile in the Grade 3 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs.

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