Valley View (2nd Division) J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

The second division of the Valley View looks wide open, and we’ve settled on
SAUCEY EVENING (More Than Ready), who exits a troubled fifth in the grassy
Ontario Colleen S. at Woodbine. The chestnut also encountered traffic problems
last year when fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and we’ll have
to hope for a clean journey on Friday with Ramon Dominguez.

The Graham Motion filly is a strong finisher, registering BRIS Late Pace
ratings of 111 and 105 (twice) during her career, and there’s plenty of speed to
set up her late run in this full field. Grade 1-placed earlier this season,
Saucey Evening has plenty of experience at this level and is well-drawn in post
7. She figures to be stalking in midpack before launching her rally.

KEERTANA (Johar) is the one to beat, but we’re not excited about taking a
short price on the likely favorite. Winner of the Regret S. (G3) at Churchill,
she’s placed in the Garden City (G1) and Lake Placid S. (G2) in her last two
outings. Those efforts look good enough to win here, but the Tom Proctor runner
didn’t flourish over Keeneland’s turf last year, finishing fourth (placed third
via disqualification) in an entry-level allowance. She’s capable of more this
time around, but we’ll try to beat her on top.

AFTERNOON STROLL (Stroll) upset the Appalachian S. (G3) at 50-1 last April
and has the opportunity to run well here at a nice price (10-1 morning line).
She didn’t enjoy the cleanest of trips when rallying for third in the Riskaverse
S. last time, netting a 104 BRIS Late Pace number, and finished a solid second
in the Hatoof S. before that. Given her respectable present form and affinity
for Keeneland’s turf, the Timothy Hamm trainee merits serious consideration for
the top three.

Canadian invader FOREST UPROAR (Forest Wildcat) looks dangerous. Trained by
Mark Frostad, she’s utilized a solid turn of foot to place in three straight
turf stakes at Woodbine, and regular rider Robert Landry ships in to ride her. We
give the stalker a chance for it all. AURORA LIGHTS (Pulpit) exits a commendable
performance at Woodbine, defeating Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew) in the
Selene S. (Can-G3), but that effort was much better than she had ever showed
before. We’re a little leery of a regression, but we won’t be surprised to see
the dark bay give another fine account of herself in her second stakes start.

EYE OF TAURUS (Aldebaran) will enter on the upswing for Kiaran McLaughlin,
recording a sharp allowance score at Monmouth Park in her last outing, and she
deserves consideration for a minor award. The bay class will be tested for class
in her stakes debut, but she’s never run a bad one in four previous turf starts.
MISS KELLER (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]) never threatened when finishing fourth in the
Lake Placid S. (G2) and drew a tough outside post (10) for her second start
stateside. The Irish import has the back class to be a factor, but we can’t
endorse her chances in this deep spot.

HAKA (Dynaformer) exits a decent third in the grassy Chaldea S., her first
start back from a lengthy freshening, but the maiden winner will face a steep
class hike off that effort. She’s shown more so far on synthetic tracks than
turf, and we’ll have to let the Grade 1-placed miss beat us. MOTHER RUSSIA (Mayakovsky)
will show speed from her outside post, but we can’t envision the New York-bred
sustaining it. CUMULONIMBLE (Stormy Atlantic) could also add to the pace, but
she appears up against it from post 12. UNBRIDLED ESSENCE (Essence of Dubai) has
won three of her last four starts, but the former claimer will likely find this
class hike too difficult. DIRECT LINE (Tiznow) doesn’t look good enough to
challenge. SENIGA (Military) will be an outsider if she draws in from the
also-eligibles list.