Lovely Bernadette gets up late to win Keeneland's Valley View Stakes

I’m Betty G ran out of steam in the final furlong Friday, making way for rising turf star Lovely Bernadette to get up for a win in Keeneland’s Grade 3, $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View Stakes.

Ridden by Florent Geroux, the 3-year-old daughter of Wilburn covered 1 1/16 miles on in 1:42.80 to win her first graded stakes race -- and move her record to 3-for-5 since switching to the grass.

"Since we've put her on the turf, it looks like she's come around," said trainer Jimmy DiVito.

Lovely Bernadette overcame an inside post position to run late.

"That's the trick," DiVito said. "I think she likes to get clear."

The trainer credited Geroux for his job as the filly hit the wire ahead of Journey Home, who got up to beat I’m Betty G for 2nd.

Lovely Bernadette went off at 9-2, the 3rd betting choice in a field of 13 for the featured race, and returned $11.60. She has now won six of 13 career starts, with her highlight before Friday a victory in Churchill Downs' Rags to Riches Stakes as a 2-year-old.

Owner James Miller also campaigned 2011 Valley View winner Daisy Devine, who went on to total $1 million in earnings.