Dyna Da Wyna caught Mexican Moonlight in midstretch and gradually pulled away to a three-quarter of a length win in the $112,900 Valley View Stakes (gr. IIIT) Saturday at Keeneland.
Always within striking distance under jockey Pat Day, the daughter of Doc's Leader ran 1 1/16 miles on the turf in 1:43.54 while posting her third consecutive victory and fifth lifetime.
Mexican Moonlight went to the lead in the upper stretch but had to settle for second, three lengths in front of Derrianne. It was a half-length back to fourth-place Julie's Prize in the field of 10 3-year-old fillies.
Dyna Da Wyna, who could have been claimed for $100,000 while winning in late August at Saratoga, earned $69,998 for WinStar Farm, LLC, the meeting's leading owner with five victories.
"Winning the race in New York really got her confidence up," said Day. "I think she is continuing to improve. She doesn't think she can get beat now.
"She was there all the way and kicked on nicely. If someone was going to run by her today, they were really going to have to be running."
The winner increased her career earnings to $217,021 and paid $9, $5.60 and $3.40 as the second choice. She followed her win at Saratoga with a victory in the Marie P. Debartolo Oaks Handicap at Louisiana Downs. Elliott Walden trains the winner.
"We tried to get her confidence up and felt like no one would take her for $100,000 and it worked out well," said Walden. "She has continued to progress."
Mexican Moonlight, a 24-1 outsider under Corey Lanerie, returned $17.80 and $6.60. Derrianne, the 2-1 favorite with Brice Blanc aboard, paid $3.40.
Keeneland's attendance Saturday was 24,497.
(Chart, Equibase)
