Ride, Valley, Ride

Often viewed as something of a consolation race for the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup last Saturday, the GIII Pin Oak Valley View S. has drawn an extraordinarily contentious field of 14 sophomore turf fillies.

Dixiana Farms’ Tiger Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) is worth a look at a very tempting price relative to her chances. A maiden winner over this course and distance 364 days ago, the bay–bred on the same cross as champion Shared Belief–was fifth behind Lady Eli (Divine Park) in the GIII Appalachian S. Apr. 12 before switching from the barn of Kellyn Gorder to that of Graham Motion. Very impressive in annexing the rained-off Ta Wee S. at Indiana Grand July 17, the homebred weakened to be fourth in the GIII Monmouth Oaks Aug. 22, but returned to the grass for the Indiana Grand S. Sept. 9. Wide throughout, the homebred worked her way into contention under a hold and stayed on very well to record a four-length victory, covering her final quarter-mile in :23.36 according to DRF Formulator despite the ground loss. America Mon Amie (All American {Aus}) was fourth, beaten just under three lengths, but hit the line equally well.

Florent Geroux had the call that day, but the hot-riding Frenchman has accepted the call on morning-line second choice Osaila (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) for trainer Todd Pletcher. Third to Lady Eli in last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, the Al Shaqab runner won this year’s G3 Nell Gwyn S. and the prestigious Sandringham H. around a seventh in the G1 QIPCO English 1000 Guineas. Runner-up when facing elders for the first time in the July 31 G3 Oak Tree S. at Goodwood, she exits an alibi-free fifth to Sentiero Italia (Medaglia d’Oro) at Belmont Sept. 12. She’s an obvious bounceback candidate, but her starting price figures underlaid in this bulky field.

Stormy Regatta (Midshipman) has never finished worse than third in six turf outings and defeated subsequent Pebbles S. winner Partisan Politics (More Than Ready) by a nose in Saratoga’s Riskaverse S. Aug. 27. She couldn’t quite capitalize on a clean inside trip in the GIII Commonwealth Oaks at Laurel Sept. 26, finishing third behind the impressive Onus (Blame), who would be a handful in here. Joe Bravo, who rode the Clement trainee to a win in a division of Monmouth’s Little Silver S. warms up for next weekend’s Breeders’ Cup meeting here.

Sunset Glow (Exchange Rate) is the 4-1 selection on the morning line and while arguably the class of the field, she has yet to post a victory beyond seven furlongs. She has run well over this course, finishing second in this year’s Appalachian S., but will try to snap a six-race skid, having run third to older turf distaffers in the Kentucky Downs Ladies’ Turf Sept. 19.

The race sponsor is represented by Don’t Leave Me (Lemon Drop Kid), winner of the GIII Ontario Colleen S. at Woodbine Aug. 22. She is not without a chance, but leading rider Corey Lanerie will have to work some magic from the 14 hole.