Valley View (1st Division)

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of 12 will contest the first division of the Valley
View, and there appears to be plenty of speed in the bulky field. Keeneland’s
turf tends to favor off-the-pace types, and we’ll take a shot with the
late-running SINGLE SOLUTION (Flatter), who figures to offer value at 12-1 on
the morning line.

The chestnut notched her first turf win three starts back over
allowance/optional claiming rivals at Arlington, registering a 105 BRIS Late
Pace rating for the 1 1/4-length decision. She wasn’t a serious factor when
stepping up to face stakes rivals for the first time in the Hatoof S. next out,
but the Kentucky-bred miss still managed to offer a stout finish, passing nearly
half the field for fifth. The Chris Block pupil improved off that effort,
rallying strongly for third-place honors in the Pucker Up S. (G3) behind Hot Cha
Cha (Cactus Ridge), who subsequently captured the Queen Elizabeth II
Challenge Cup S. (G1), and we expect to see Single Solution take a
big step forward on Friday. She’ll be able to save ground from her inside post
under James Graham.

French invader REX REGINA (Ire) (King’s Best) merits consideration for an
upset. Unplaced in a Group 3 event last out, the Jean-Claude Rouget trainee won
three of four starts before that setback and won’t make her U.S. bow in the most
difficult spot. Her BRIS Class ratings compare favorably to her U.S. rivals, and
jockey Julien Leparoux should secure a good stalking position from the rail
post. We love the bay filly’s winning attitude and will look for a solid showing
in her first attempt stateside.

SILVER REUNION (Harlan’s Holiday) is the early 3-1 favorite off a
good-looking, wire-to-wire victory in the one-mile Riskaverse S. at Saratoga. We
won’t be surprised to see the dark bay develop into a high-class individual for
Graham Motion, and give her a chance to overwhelm these rivals with her talent,
but her forwardly-placed running style is a concern in this spot. She’ll probably be
up close tracking under Ramon Dominguez before making her move to the front.

KIAWAH CAT (Lemon Drop Kid) looms as a major threat for Bill Mott. The bay
lass posted a 102 BRIS Late Pace rating in her last effort, a close third in a
Saratoga allowance/optional claiming event, and placed in a pair of stakes
events before that, the John Hettinger S. and Boiling Springs (G3). The
Darley-owned filly figures to make her presence felt in the stretch under Rajiv
Maragh. BLUEGRASS PRINCESS (Dynaformer) owns plenty of stakes experience,
placing in the Sands Point (G2) and John Hettinger, and merits plenty of respect
for the top three. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the bay doesn’t win much,
recording a second and three thirds from seven starts this season, but she’s
eligible to grab another placing here under John Velazquez.

PROJECT ROSE (Not for Love) is another one to consider for at least part. The
Jonathan Sheppard runner drew a tough impost (11) for her graded debut and is
unplaced in her lone turf start, but we liked the closing kick she displayed
over Keeneland’s Polytrack last time, flying late for the victory over a solid
group of rivals. She’ll pick up blinkers for this engagement and deserves
consideration for the exotics at what figures to be a good price. KATARA
(Pulpit) is another potential gimmicks player in this well-matched field, but
the Grade 2-placed miss drew the far outside post and may prefer a little more
ground than 8 1/2 furlongs. We’ll just have to watch and see how she fares.

WEEKEND STRIKE (Smart Strike) is bred to be a good one, but her BRIS numbers
will need to improve for her to challenge. The Todd Pletcher runner knocked off
a soft group of entry-level allowance foes at Monmouth Park last time, and we’ll
give her at least one start at the graded level before backing. REDREAMIT
(Tapit) is a turf stakes winner, but she does her best running on the front end
and will probably face too much pressure. Woodbine shipper FLOWERBOMB
(Mineshaft) will step up to stakes company off of an entry-level allowance
score. We can’t endorse her chances at this time. ALWAYS IN MY HEART (Hennessy)
will be tested for class in her turf stakes bow. KISS MINE (Mineshaft) looks
overmatched from a class standpoint, but the speedy miss could help set the
stage for the late runners.