Rose Velvet can step forward

ELMONT, N.Y. – In La Sardane, Team Valor International has a nice French-bred 4-year-old filly who won the Grade 3 Intercontinental Stakes last Thursday at Belmont Park.

In Rose Velvet, Team Valor hopes it has a nice Irish-bred 4-year-old filly who could at least be good enough to win a first-level allowance race this Thursday at Belmont.

Rose Velvet has had a starcrossed path since coming to the United States in early 2017 following a four-length maiden win in Italy. She had trained forwardly at Gold Mark Farm, even outworking Dream Mover, who won his U.S. debut for Team Valor impressively last summer at Saratoga.

By that time, Rose Velvet, who had been shipped to Michael Dickinson in Maryland, was already sidelined due to a hind leg fracture that required surgery and time.

Rose Velvet was sent to George Weaver, who got her ready for her 4-year-old debut at Gulfstream, where Rose Velvet finished fourth in a 7 1/2-furlong first-level turf allowance. A bit fresh, she gave jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. a bit of a tussle entering the first turn, but ran well to get beat less than a length.

“Last time, I thought she got the trip I thought she’d get, but didn’t give me the response I thought she would give when he turned her loose,” Weaver said.

According to Barry Irwin, president of Team Valor, Rose Velvet was diagnosed after that race with ulcers, for which she was treated.

Now, Rose Velvet is ready to make her second U.S. start in a race where she figures to be on or close to the lead under John Velazquez.

“Stalk and pounce,” Weaver said when asked what type of trip he desired. “But I’m not going to tell Johnny to take her back if she breaks” well.

Ladrona, drawn in post 2, may be the speed of the race under Jose Ortiz. Purrageous Dyna, a sprinter stretching out, also could show early foot.

KEY CONTENDERS:

Rose Velvet, by Poet’s Voice Last 3 Beyers: 77-NA-NA

◗ Stayed on well to be defeated less than a length after steadying multiple times entering first turn and racing between horses down backstretch in a March 11 allowance at Gulfstream.

◗ Miss O’Hara and Summer Luck, the 1-2 finishers from that race, were recent allowance winners at Indiana Grand and Churchill Downs, respectively. Complicit, by Blame Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-72

◗ Finally broke through with a maiden win here off an eightmonth layoff and could be ready to take a step forward in second start.

Silver Shaker, by Lonhro Last 3 Beyers: 85-81-79

◗ Returns to the course where she recorded her lone win last fall going 1 1/4 miles.

◗ Has finished behind stablemate Complicit two of the three times they’ve previously met.

Ladrona, by Bodemeister Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-78

◗ Pressed pace and gave way grudgingly when second in this condition May 2 at Churchill Downs.

◗ Could play out as the lone speed breaking from the inside under Jose Ortiz on Thursday.