"Improving" Blowout (GB) Eyes First Graded Stakes Win in Pin Oak Valley View

Peter Brant’s Blowout (GB) has been a model of consistency this year, but one thing has eluded the Chad Brown trainee: a graded stakes victory.

That could change Friday when Blowout makes her Keeneland debut in the $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

“I have probably been around her the most of the three we have in the race,” said Whit Beckman, who is in charge of Brown’s Keeneland string. “She is an improving filly and this is a great spot for her as well as the other two.”

In compiling a 7-3-3-1 record, Blowout never has lost by more than a length. In her most recent start, she won the Pebbles (L) at Belmont going a mile under John Velazquez, who will have the mount Friday.

Brown’s other runners are Klaravich Stables’ Catch a Bid and Martin Schwartz’s Turf War.

“Catch a Bid was getting ready to run here last fall, but she had a minor issue and went to the farm,” Beckman said. Catch a Bid was off the work tab for five months before rejoining the barn in March at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida. She did not make her debut until June 6.

“Everything has been good with her since she came back,” Beckman said of the filly, who has won two of three starts including a victory in her most recent outing in the Riskaverse (L) at Saratoga in August. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount.

Turf War has made three starts for Brown this year since coming to the U.S. from France. Joel Rosario was aboard in her most recent start, a victory in the Christiecat (L) at Belmont on Sept. 6, and will be riding her again Friday.

“It was real soft that day in the Christiecat,” Beckman said. “I know for sure it wasn’t firm.”