Raven Run J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Saturday’s Raven Run S. (G2) drew an overflow of 16 three-year-old fillies,
but only 14 will be allowed to start in the seven-furlong event at Keeneland. FLASHING
(A.P. Indy) was being considered for a Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1),
but Godolphin already had a couple of top contenders and decided to redirect the
Test (G1) winner to this spot.

The Saeed bin Suroor pupil made her synthetic debut in the Presque Isle Downs Masters S. (G3) last time and threatened to challenge for it all at the top of
the stretch, passing rivals as she roared into contention on the far outside.
She came up three lengths short but was hardly embarrassed with her third-place
effort to Informed Decision (Monarchos), who rates as one of the favorites in
the Filly & Mare Sprint. Flashing registered a 106 BRIS Late Pace rating, her
second consecutive century-topping number, and her running style is well-suited
to the Polytrack. The chestnut does own some tactical speed, and she’ll likely
bide her time in midpack before uncorking a strong rally under Richard Migliore.

SKY HAVEN (Sky Mesa) notched a 100 BRIS Speed rating for her third in the
Gallant Bloom H. (G2) last out, finishing third behind Indian Blessing (Indian
Charlie) and Sara Louise (Malibu Moon), and the Steve Asmussen filly is a stakes
winner on synthetic, recording an overall 3-2-1-0 mark on all-weather tracks.
She’ll enter this event on the upswing, registering commendable BRIS Late Pace
numbers in her last three starts, and should sit a good stalking trip from her
outside post with Shaun Bridgmohan. The Pennsylvania-bred owns the best chance
at an upset.

STRIKE THE BELL (Mizzen Mast) brings encouraging turf form into her synthetic
bow, easily capturing a Saratoga allowance prior to her fast-finishing second in
the Chaldea S. at Belmont last out, and she’s got a shot to run big if she makes
the transition. The David Donk trainee should offer plenty of value (20-1
morning line), and the Polytrack often plays very friendly to grass horses. The
chestnut’s Speed ratings are a little low, but Strike the Bell could get
involved in deep stretch with her strong closing kick.

MOONTUNE MISS (Forest Wildcat) broke her maiden at Santa Anita last year and
is two-for-two in 2009, winning a Saratoga entry-level allowance and the
Sometime Thing S. at Belmont. The Eoin Harty charge is pretty quick, with
triple-digit BRIS E1 and E2 ratings in her last start, but she can stalk and
pounce. She could make her presence from just off the pace. LADY’S LAUGHTER
(Distorted Humor) is a winner over the track, rallying from just off the pace to win
a seven-furlong allowance going away off a layoff last April, and trainer
Charles Lopresti has given the dark bay a brief freshening for this appearance.
The hard-trying filly has gained valuable stakes experience in her recent
starts, and we’ll include her on the bottom of some exotics.

With the exception of her last effort on turf, PRETTY PROLIFIC (Lion Heart)
has been a very consistent performer for trainer James Baker this season. The
chestnut filly is a good finisher, posting a 105 BRIS Late Pace rating for her
runner-up in the Test two starts back, and is a threat to parlay a favorable
trip into a minor award here. BEST LASS (Werblin) rolled to a 5 1/4-length
decision in the Prairie Meadows Oaks last time, but the Pennsylvania-bred is a
winner on synthetic and owns favorable BRIS numbers. The improving Kenny McPeek
runner rates consideration for the top three, but she’ll be tested for class in
her graded debut and drew the rail, which is a tough spot to break from going
seven furlongs.

JUST JENDA (Menifee) is a logical contender based on her back class, but the
multiple Grade 3 queen has never raced on a synthetic track and exit a
discouraging showing in the Cotillion S. (G2). We’ll try to beat her. IVORY
EMPRESS (Seeking the Gold) will jump in class off a couple of decent efforts.
She’s got the potential to develop into a good stakes filly for Ian Wilkes, but
we’ll look for more down the road from the stakes debuter. ALL OF HER TWIST
(Forest Wildcat) has never raced on a synthetic track and was unplaced in her lone
attempt at the distance. We can’t recommend her chances.

JARDIN (Montbrook) will flash speed, but she’ll face pressure on the front
end and looks more comfortable with a little less ground. We don’t think DON’TTALKTOME (Cactus
Ridge) will be able to sustain her speed from
the outermost post. Ohio invader SLIDES CHOICE (Devil His Due) faces a serious
class check and probably prefers more ground. SATANS QUICK CHICK (Sky Mesa)
shows a couple of easy wins on her resume this season, but she probably needs an
easier spot to be effective.

SAUCEY EVENING (More Than Ready) and DEVIL BY DESIGN (Medaglia d’Oro) will
both need to draw in from the also-eligibles list, and we’ll go against if they
make the field.