Venus Valentine capped a stakes double for Congrats with a shocking victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) at Fair Grounds, coming from the back of the nine-horse field after six furlongs to deliver her owner/breeder Rosemont Farm LLC a one-length win at 74-1.
Trained by Tom Amoss, Venus Valentine showed promise in her first start last summer, easily winning an Ellis Park maiden special weight by three-plus lengths. Beaten just five lengths after a rough trip in the Arlington-Washington Lassie S., Venus Valentine was again fourth in a turf allowance last month at Fair Grounds.
Venus Valentine was content to let the field break in front of her, and after a half-mile she was some 15 lengths back of the leader. Still last as the field of 3-year-old fillies hit the stretch, Venus Valentine kicked into full gear under Corey Lanerie. Skimming the rail, she zipped past the field, putting away Midinght On Onconee in deep stretch to win by a length in 1:45.24 for the 1 1/16-miles on a fast main track.
“She won her first start for us and we knew she had great raw talent,” Amoss said. “We felt she had a real chance based on how she was coming into the race.”
Venus Valentine, the first foal out of two-time stakes winner Valentine Fever, has now earned $145,185. She comes from the same family as 1995 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Gal in a Ruckus.
Congrats, whose Haveyougoneaway captured Saturday’s $100,000 Spring Fever S. at Oaklawn Park, leads all North American sires with six stakes winners this year. His progeny have earned nearly $1.3 million.
