Three Valleys Rises to Take Middle Park Stakes

Juddmonte Farms' homebred Three Valleys closed from mid-pack under Richard Hughes to prevail by three-quarters of a length in the $175,885 Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I) for 2-year-olds Oct. 3 at Newmarket. Balmont, another American-bred, ran on for second, while Holborn finished third, just in front of Auditorium.

Three Valleys, sent off the 2-1 favorite, was bred in the United States and is conditioned by Roger Charlton. He is by Diesis out of the Niniski mare Skiable. He broke alertly enough and manned fifth position early in the six-furlong test over good to firm going. Born in America assumed the early lead and established a strong pace. Colossus made the front after the pace-setter yielded, but the trackers had the advantage toward the final furlongs. Three Valleys made a move at the rail, passing Balmont and Holborn a furlong from the wire, which he reached in 1:10.68.

Following Auditorium were Whipper, Grand Reward, Old Deuteronomy, Fokine, Colossus, Kheleyf, Nevisian Lad, and Born in America.

The race was a disappointing for the highly regarded Whipper, who kicked in too late to make an impact, and for Old Deuteronomy, who never found his best stride. The latter was rated in the top 10 international rankings of juveniles going into the contest.