Moonless Sky, Cheekaboo head field of 11 in Fran's Valentine

Trainer Eddie Truman’s hard-knocking Moonless Sky and trainer Peter Eurton’s comebacking Cheekaboo, head a field of 11 fillies and mares three and up in Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes at one mile over the Santa Anita turf.  The Fran’s Valentine, named for the late Earl Scheib’s multiple Grade I winning homebred daughter of Saros, is for California-bred or sired fillies and mares who are eligible to participate in the CTBA’s Golden State Series.

MOONLESS SKY

Placed first via disqualification in last year’s Fran’s Valentine seven starts back, this imposing 5-year-old mare by Bold Chieftain has been favored in five out of her last six starts.  Winless in her first four starts in South Florida, she’s won four out of her nine starts with Truman while being second twice.  An even seventh, beaten four lengths in an open second condition allowance going a mile on turf here Jan. 7, Moonless Sky has been freshened and will likely fire big off the bench.  With five wins from eight starts at one mile on turf (four out of six at Santa Anita), she possesses a formidable turn of foot and would be well served by a fast pace with regular rider Kent Desormeaux at the controls.

CHEEKABOO

Owner:  Sharon Alesia, Burns Racing, LLC and Ciaglia Racing, LLC          Trainer:  Peter Eurton

Idle since running sixth in last year’s Fran’s Valentine on May 21, 2017, this 5-year-old Unusual Heat mare is another who would appreciate a fast pace, as she’s done her best running as a deep closer.  Although she’s only won three races from 17 starts, two of them came in stakes, including a 23-1 score in the Grade II Honeymoon Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf 10 starts back in June, 2016.  With an overall mark of 17-3-3-3, she has earnings of $316,738 and will be ridden for the first time by Rafael Bejarano.

THE $100,000 FRAN’S VALENTINE STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 9 of 12                                                                                      Approximate post time 4 p.m. PT

1.   Speakers—Drayden Van Dyke—121

2.   Halo Darlin—Stewart Elliott--121

3.   Cheekaboo—Rafael Bejarano—123

4.   Coco Kisses—Gary Stevens—116

5.   Lynne’s Legacy—Kyle Frey--121

6.   Moonless Sky—Kent Desormeaux—123

7.   Desert Steel—Brice Blanc—121

8.   Cordiality—Tyler Baze--123

9.   Shy Carmelita—Joe Talamo—121

10. How About Zero—Mario Gutierrez—121

11. Barbara Beatrice—Tiago Pereira--123

First post time for a 12-race card on Preakness Day, this Saturday, is at 12 noon.