Day three of our excursion to Keeneland is a turf race for three-year-old fillies going one mile. An overflow field of 16 fillies are entered with a maximum of 12 horses running.
Keeneland Race 9 – Valley View Stakes (Grade 2)
We have an overflow field here, and for three of the fillies, they do have a fallback race if they draw in today. The 13 Maxisuperfly (30/1 morning line), the 15 Strike When Ready (20/1 ML) and the 16 Kehoe Beach (8/1 ML) are all entered for the seventh race tomorrow which is an allowance race on the grass. The 14 Whiskey Decision (15/1 ML) has no back up race.
The 4 Les Reys (5/2 ML) is favored today. She is 3 for 4 lifetime at the mile distance after closing well to win the Winter Memories at Aqueduct. She is second race off of the layoff here today after moving to the United States after racing in France.
The 2 Poolside With Slim (5/1 ML) like the favorite is second race off of the layoff after racing in the Winter Memories. She will probably be closer to the pace than the favorite. She did get bumped around in the stretch which may have hindered her chances last month.
The 8 Buttercream Babe (9/2 ML) threw in a clunker in the Music City at Kentucky Downs last month. Previously she just missed against the boys in the Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga. She stretches back out to a mile which despite her stats at today’s distance may be her best. She will be closing as well here today.
The 12 Simply in Front (8/1 ML) won the aforementioned Music City at Kentucky Downs last month. She won in June as well at today’s distance. The concern here is where she will be positioned going into the first turn.
Joe’s Pick
I’ve been on the Buttercream Babe bandwagon in her last two races. I will get on there one more time today. She has shown that she can close and likes the mile distance as well. I’ll take her today. Let’s call this race 8-2-4-12 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. Best of luck everyone!
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