Valentine Dancer scores first stakes win

ARCADIA, Calif. - Valentine Dancer rallied from eighth to score the first stakes win of her career in Sunday's $113,900 Harold Ramser Handicap at Santa Anita.

The victory occurred in Valentine Dancer's seventh appearance in a stakes. She had been second or third in three stakes since early July.

"She's already had a nice career," trainer Craig Lewis said. "I hope it continues."

Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, Valentine Dancer was at the back of the field for the first half of the race. Valenzuela brought Valentine Dancer three-wide to reach contention on the turn, took the lead before the eighth pole and did not face a late challenge.

Valentine Dancer ($9.40) won by three lengths, finishing a mile on turf in 1:32.87, a stakes record.

"When were drew post 12, I was a little apprehensive," Lewis said. "She broke well, Pat rode her well and it worked out in our favor."

Owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood, Valentine Dancer has won 4 of 13 starts and $242,826.

Fencelineneighbor finished second, 1 1-2 lengths in front of Shezsospiritual in the field of 12 3-year-old fillies.