Valiance and Mutasaabeq Breeders’ Cup bound after Sunday stakes wins
October 5, 2020 October 7, 2020
Back to Our News PageTwo more Kentucky-breds earned their way into next month’s Breeders’ Cup with wins Oct. 4 at Keeneland, Valiance in the Spinster (G1) and Mutasaabeq in the Bourbon S. (G2).
Both races were Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events, with Valiance headed to the Distaff (G1) and Mutasaabeq the Juvenile Turf (G1).
Valiance, a striking gray 4-year-old daughter of Tapit, had spent most of her career on the turf prior to Sunday’s win, though she did win the off-the-turf Eatontown S. at Monmouth in her last start. Sunday’s win was her sixth in eight outings, and in getting her first graded stakes victory, upped her earnings to $469,575 for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Martin Schwartz and China Horse Club International, the latter also her breeder.
Valiance sold for $650,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearlings sale and is out of Madison S. (G1) winner Last Full Measure, whose dam Lazy Slusan was a two-time Grade 1 winner of $1.1 million.
Mutasaabeq showed a brilliant turn of foot in the stretch of the 1 1/16-mile grassy Bourbon. The bay colt was last of 11 at the top of the stretch, but rocketed past the field to win by 2 1/4-lengths.
Now a winner of two of three starts, the 2-year-old son of leading sire Into Mischief has earned $189,600 for owner Shadwell Stable, who purchased the bay colt for $425,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale.
Mutasaabeq was bred by BlackRidge Stables LLC and is the first foal out of Downside Scenario and is the 80th lifetime stakes winner for his sire.