Team 7 Illusions recent purchase for $75.000 from Fractious gained back his investment plus some interest when three year old Antivenom gained the front at the eighth pole, and would run on to the victory in a final time of 1:40.30.
- Valley View ( Gr. III ) Purse $150.000
- Keeneland- For Fillies Three Years old
- One Mile and one Sixteenth – Turf course
While inside runner Chai Command ( John Henry ) broke quickly and got to the lead for the opening fractions, Antivenom would see Laffer ( Our Athletes) sprint up to the second place position off the turn, and rider Landeros would ask for his mount to stay in step.
Entering the far turn, the field started to close up ground on the front runner and by the turn for home, Laffer would take the lead for a sixteenth of a mile till Antivenom would come along and take control of the lead. In the final sixteenth, Laffer would find herself in a head to head battle with Blondewithhandcuffs ( Mb Stables ) for the runner-up position, finally give way to that runner.
The victory for Antivenom is now her third of the season and her first ever Graded victory. It was just a year ago that Team 7 Illusions lost her in a claim for a mere $7.000, and the return home to her breeder came at the right time of her career. Her purchase price was identical to the selling price of her dam to Smokey Stover, so we may see her take that one’s place in the breeding barn in the near future.
Now with back to back runner-up placings following her win in the $85 Osunitas Stakes, Blondewithhandcuffs had a clear look at the wire down the lane from the middle of the track and worked hard to get up in time. If she remains at this distance and level of competition, she should quickly grab that victory.
Show finisher Laffer raced a style that has worked for her in the past, and she has nothing to be disappointed about with her efforts in this affair, missing by just three quarters of a length. Made the move at the right time turning for home to take a shallow lead, and has made another step closer to that first Graded win.
Fourth was award to French Box ( Threshold) who made a sharp close down the stretch, and may need to go nine panels in distance to make her efforts more productive on the bank side. She is definitely a talented runner.
Rounding out the field would be Weddy Weddy ( Night Rider Stables ) who was quick out of the gate and looked like she was going to challenge the lead, but then was pulled back over the clubhouse turn. She would make here effort along the rail throughout. Permeated ( TwinTowersRacing ) was giving Bute a try for the first time, and it seems to have helped as she was able to close to within three here. I still think the offtrack surface is her forte to earn victories. The final runner would be early front runner Chai Command who has had success going on top, but in shorter affairs. Watch for her to cut back in distance for her next event.
Duffer
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
