Valkyrie Status Update

[Kenren]

GET INVOLVED

BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON!

After a fairly lackluster Y15, Valkyrie has bounced back with tremendous force. Good juveniles, though perhaps not as good overall as last years; good 3yos, some more than others; good older horses that are making the marks they've been waiting to make. Here's your guide to how the horses at Valkyrie have been performing, how they're working, and what they have planned!

JUVENILES

I. BLUE MOON

Moony is a bit unsure of where she wants to be right at the moment. She hasn't done badly in HOTY competition, with a second and two thirds in G5-company, but she isn't quite with the top dogs. However, she's got some bite and class to turn that around in rather dramatic fashion. Blue Moon's record is not so terribly far off from sire-side sibling Nirvana, who truly hit her stride in the later part of her juvenile year (racking up four wins, three of them HOTY, starting September Wk 1). We are incredibly excited to see how explosively this speedy filly takes off.

II. HURRICANE

This aggressive bay colt has been showing improved form over his last couple of races, all large fields, and the staff couldn't be more relieved to see it. However, one of the biggest hurdles to his success was deemed to be his behavior, and Cole made the final decision - as of August week two, this son of Breeders' Cup winner Dark Charmer will be running as a gelding. The change in him is already evident, and he is expected to continue to improve.

III. FLAWLESS MAJESTY

What is there to say about this absolute superstar? He is, as his name suggests, practically flawless. Having eight starts on the year has not hurt this colt in the least - he has targeted every major mile and nine furlong race available and in all but two has decimated the competition. Large fields, small fields, Maj doesn't care - he's the quirky legacy to both sire and dam and nothing he could do now would tarnish his incredible shine. After a break between races at his preferred distance, Maj has been kept on his toes and looks fitter and stronger than ever!

IV. LADDIE LUCK

Speaking of quirky, Laddie Luck has been an incredibly credit to both his unproven dam and proven sire. Lad has been a stalwart competitor in the HOTY races, though he is taking August to dial it back and get a bit of drive for the winner's circle before he returns to the upper echelons in September. This has already proven fruitful in his first race this month, and he is scheduled for one more tune-up race. For a horse as unique as he is, there's no fault that can really be found in how he's performed to date. He will only continue to get stronger in the second half of the year as he gains experience.

V. MISS MAGIC

Miss Magic is one of the greater frustrations the farm has had of late, but we've far from given up hope for her. It has become clear that her confidence was shaken coming in out of the money in two HOTY races in a row, and she's now left to build back up. However, with a filly as classy as this with the connections that she boasts, it shouldn't take long. She's got a skilled jockey aboard that's bold enough to draw confidence out in her, and after another undercard or two she will be back to targeting the filly HOTY races.

VI. ROSES RAMPANT

This classically-bred filly is just on the outside looking in at the upper levels, and she's knocking hard at that door. She has reached G4 status as has the back class to cause some trouble, so her campaign is edging toward the temporary gap that Miss Magic has left behind. And if there's any horse bred for incredible long-term success, it's this one. We're in no rush with her, and are ready to let her develop at her own pace.

VII. SPIRIT OF LIBERTY

This is definitely a filly building to big things. She's had a healthy mix of HOTY and undercard races, and hasn't done poorly in the higher levels of competition. The biggest thing she was missing was wins - and she's stacked a second one to her record in her last out. She's a consistent type of runner, and one that will likely relish larger fields if we can get her into them. Her record and experience are shaping up to be very strong as a foundation.

VIII. THE ODDITY

Oadie has been developing at a slower pace than many of the Valkyrie horses, and though it can be frustrating, Cole is always cautioning patience. And so the filly has been allowed to grow at her own pace, and her record is showing that careful consistency. She's also just gotten her second win and is showing good form coming out of it.

IX. TOSS UP

This colt is everything the staff wanted their son of Gamble On Peace to be. He is strong, he is dominant, and he is taking names. He hasn't backed down from a single fight, and he's shown once again that Valkyrie can really work some magic with Nature Blues stock. He is also a half-brother to Passionate God, and has already shown more early talent than the budding four-year-old. It is likely by the end of the year that both siblings will be very real threats in their respective divisions. Tor has come in first five times to date and placed second the other four.

X. WINGS OF JAYDE

Call it sentimentality, but being able to take the first daughter of Sugar Jayde to her current height has been a point of pride. Winnie has shown her incredible affinity for speed by bagging five of the most highly competitive races, always recognized as a threat even if she doesn't show up for the win. Her talent is undeniable and remarked upon, and she's proven time and again that she has what it takes to live up to the strong legacy she was born into. While she will never reach a mile to win a Tiara, she'll at least be able to continue to make the competition sweat in the shorter races.