Fran’s Valentine and Valenzuela Are a Winning Match in the Oaks

When Fran’s Valentine finished fifth as the 1-2 favorite in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland April 20, trainer Joe Manzi figured that the ride of substitute jockey Don Brumfield might have been somewhat responsible.

That theory seemed to be valid Friday when Fran’s Valentine, with regular rider Pat Valenzuela in the saddle, made a strong stretch run and won the $182,100 Kentucky Oaks by three-quarters of a length before 52,865 fans on the day before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Valenzuela wasn’t available to ride Earl Scheib’s 3-year-old filly in the Ashland because he had suffered a shoulder injury the day before in a gate incident at Hollywood Park.

“Pat knows this filly,” Manzi said after Fran’s Valentine had overtaken Rascal Lass in the deep stretch and held off Foxy Deen, a 43-1 longshot. “She broke a lot better than last time, and Pat let her run from there and get position. When she’s laying second like she was, she is very dangerous.”

Running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50, Fran’s Valentine paid $8, $4.20 and $4 as the second betting choice behind Folk Art, who gave a dull performance and finished seventh.

Foxy Deen, second by a head over Rascal Lass, paid $24.20 and $11, and Rascal Lass, ahead most of the way, returned $4.40.

The order of finish after Rascal Lass: Lucy Manette, Savannah Slew, Koluctoo’s Jill, Folk Art, Wising Up and Naxos.

The win was worth $118,365 as Fran’s Valentine won for the sixth time in 13 starts. Manzi indicated that she would be sent back to California, where a possible next start is the Hollywood Oaks July 7.