3 minute read

Stunning Sky prevails in Pin Oak Valley View Stakes

The Michael Maker-trained Stunning Sky (3 f ex Sky Walk by Unbridled's Song) prevailed in close finish to win the Pin Oak Valley View Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Keeneland on Friday and in the process handed former shuttler Declaration Of War (War Front) with his 31st stakes winner.

It was a much-deserved stakes success for the Stunning Sky, with the filly having filled the places at black-type level on three occasions and she finally got her head in front when beating  Princess Grace (Karakontie) by half a length, while How Ironic (Tonalist) was the same distance away in third.

The filly was purchased by Kim Valerio for US$100,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and she is one of two winners out of winning Unbridled's Song (Unbridled) mare Sky Walk. 

Sky Walk is the dam of Listed-placed More Of The Best (Langfuhr), who in turn produced Grade 3 winner Jiangsu Bobby (Shanghai Bobby). 

Sky Castles also produced three time-winning mare Unbridled Melody (Unbridled's Song) - the dam of dual Grade 1 winner Tourist (Tiznow) and Listed-winners Harlan’s Harmony (Spring At Last), Mountain Music Man (Bluegrass Cat) and Michael With Us (Bluegrass Cat).

Meanwhile, Sky Castles is also the grandam of Grade 3 winner One Mean Man (Mizzen Mast) and Mizz Money (Mizzen Mast). 

Declaration Of War shuttled to Australia for two seasons and his six Group 1 winners, including last year’s Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Vow And Declare and Warning, who won the VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) last season. Having stood at Coolmore for eight seasons, the son of War Front (Danzig) was relocated to JBBA's Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan in 2019.

WATCH the full replay as STUNNING SKY makes a late charge to prevail in the @PinOakStud Valley View (G3) for a new stakes record! pic.twitter.com/RsXpDdNInQ

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 16, 2020