Venti Valentine back on work tab, points to Critical Eye Stakes
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Venti Valentine, who won the Bay Ridge Stakes by 3 3/4 lengths here Dec. 17, returned to the work tab Friday, breezing a half-mile in 49.81 seconds over the Belmont Park training track.
Trainer Jorge Abreu said he is targeting the $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes on May 29 at Belmont for Venti Valentine, a 4-year-old daughter of Firing Line who is a three-time stakes winner at a one-turn mile. The Critical Eye is run at 1 1/16 miles around one turn.
Abreu said Venti Valentine got turned out for a couple of months on a farm in Ocala, Fla.
“She grew up, she’s stronger,” Abreu said.
Also working Friday for Abreu was King Angelo, who went a half-mile in 48.05. Abreu is pointing King Angelo to the $100,000 Affirmed Success Stakes here April 30.
King Angelo is coming off a nose defeat in an open second-level New York-bred allowance.
Howe Street, who won a first-level allowance going 1 3/8 miles at Gulfstream last Sunday, is pointing to the Grade 2, $350,000 Elkhorn Stakes on April 22 at Keeneland, Abreu said.
Howe Street has won two straight after returning from a layoff following a second in his debut last April.
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