Valiance impresses winning stakes debut in Open Mind

Valiance remains undefeated in three starts after a 1 1/4-length victory Sunday in the $75,000 Open Mind Stakes at Monmouth Park.

After steadying a bit on the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile turf race while in close pursuit of pacesetting Karama and Ellyb, Valiance backed off to sit third in the field of nine 3-year-old fillies. She maintained that position through three-quarters in 1:11.09, beginning to quicken as they turned for home and jockey Nik Juarez swung her three wide into the lane. From there, she closed willingly, edging clear to get the victory in a final time of 1:41.84 over turf rated good.

Her Royal Highness came flying down the center of the course and was up in time to nab second from Ellyb, while La Feve rallied mildly for fourth. Beautiful Lover, the 2-1 favorite, finished fifth.

The winner returned $8.40, topping a $2 exacta worth $88.80 with 13-1 Her Royal Highness.

“I think she’s just starting to show her ability,” Juarez told Monmouth Park publicity. “She does so well rating off the pace and she has such a great kick coming from home. She was very valiant today. The reason I made the move when I did is because Karama is very tough on the lead. She’s a filly I have ridden. I couldn’t keep waiting with the way the turf course was playing today. It seemed there was a speed bias on the grass if you looked at the earlier races."

Valiance was bred by China Horse Club, who owns her in partnership with Martin Schwartz and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. The daughter of Tapit is trained by Todd Pletcher. Sunday’s victory brought her earnings to $96,000. She previously won a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park in April and a first-level allowance at Monmouth Park on May 27, both at 1 1/16 miles.