Include Betty Targets Valley View Stakes

Include Betty Targets Valley View Stakes

Keeneland Photo

Include Betty, whose exciting late runs have garnered her victory in the Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I), Fantasy Stakes (gr. III), and Remington Park Oaks this year, will give turf a try on October 24th when she starts in the $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland.

The daughter of Include has only run once on turf, finishing fifth in the Florida Oaks (gr. III) earlier this year, but turned in a solid workout over the Keeneland turf course on October 11th, breezing a half-mile in :52 flat while getting the final quarter-mile in :24 flat according to Keeneland clockers.

Include Betty had also been under consideration for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) on October 30th at Keeneland, but is now listed by Keeneland as a probable starter for the Valley View instead.

Osaila breezing on the Keeneland turf course - Keeneland Photo
Osaila breezing on the Keeneland turf course – Keeneland Photo

Another major contender in the 8.5-furlong Valley View is Osaila, who finished third in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I) and most recently ran fifth in the Sands Point Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont on September 12th. Previously based in England with trainer Richard Hannon, Osaila–who won the group III Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket back in April–has remained in the U.S. since the Sands Point and is now being trained by Todd Pletcher. On October 11th, Osaila breezed a half-mile over the Keeneland turf course in :50 2/5. “That’s the first time we’ve breezed her by herself, and I think she’s probably used to having a target,” Pletcher was quoted as saying in the Keeneland Barn Notes for October 11th. “I thought she got over the course well, looked good. She’ll have one more work before the Valley View.”

Rounding out the list of probables for the Valley View are Calypso BeatHavanna BelleMrs McDougal, and Stormy RegattaPrado’s Sweet Ride is a possible starter.

Follow J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman"):

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, blogger, videographer, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. He lives in Wisconsin and also writes for the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners.

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