Terranova brings two from New York for Raven Run

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A pair of 3-year-old fillies trained by John Terranova arrived before dawn Monday at Keeneland to take on some of their more accomplished classmates in what’s shaping up as a terrific renewal Saturday of the Grade 2, $350,000 Raven Run.

Midnight Stroll and Union Lake were vanned overnight from their New York base, said Terranova, who will be on hand Saturday for the seven-furlong Raven Run.

“They both settled in great,” said Terranova. “I think we’ve got a couple of fillies with some real quality to them.”

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Midnight Stroll owns wins in two stakes, including the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks, from her seven starts, while Union Lake most recently was third behind Wicked Halo after setting the pace in the Grade 2 Prioress on closing weekend of the Saratoga meet.

Wicked Halo, the Steve Asmussen-trained filly who will be entered off three straight stakes wins, is among the chief opposition for the Terranova pair in the seven-furlong Raven Run, along with Fingal’s Cave, a New York-bred undefeated in four starts, all for David Donk.

Terranova’s fillies turned in half-mile breezes Sunday over the Belmont Park training track.

“It’s a great race to try,” said Terranova. “Both horses worked real sharp and I’m really happy with them. We’re going to take a swing.”

Other fillies confirmed for the 24th Raven Run include Colorful Mischief, Last Leaf, Republique, and Smash Ticket. One notable defection is Desert Dawn, the Southern California-based filly who was third behind Secret Oath and Nest in the Kentucky Oaks. Trainer Phil D’Amato said Monday he had decided against sending her for the race.

Tarabi, another Raven Run nominee, has been taken out of training for 30 days with a minor injury, said trainer Cherie DeVaux.

The $250,000 Perryville, the seven-furlong open counterpart to the Raven Run, also is set for Saturday. Artorius, winner of the restricted Curlin Stakes at Saratoga in July for Chad Brown and owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms, is expected to vie for favoritism with Gunite in the Perryville after working here Saturday in company with his Brown stablemate Jack Christopher.

The twin Saturday features for 3-year-olds come a day before the Grade 3 Dowager, which helps end a five-day race week Sunday with its 31st running. Mia Martina and Temple City Terror are among the filly-mare turf marathoners expected.

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