A wide-open field of 13 sophomore filly sprinters will line up for Saturday's GII Lexus Raven Run S. at Keeneland.
'TDN Rising Star' Souper Sensational (Curlin) enters in good form in her last three starts since receiving a freshening. A powerful winner of Belmont's GIII Victory Ride S. July 10, the Live Oak colorbearer followed with a second-place finish behind likely GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint second choice Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot) in the GI Longines Test S. Aug. 7 and repeated that same position behind the streaking Cilla (California Chrome) after leading in the stretch as the 4-5 favorite in the GII Prioress S. back at the Spa Sept. 4.
Juddmonte homebred Obligatory (Curlin), drawn widest of all for Bill Mott here, is favored at 3-1 on the morning line. Minus a disappointing fifth after a slow start in the Test, the GII Eight Belles S. upsetter has strong second-place finishes going longer behind Search Results (Flatter) in the one-mile GI Acorn S. June 5 and Clairiere (Curlin) in the 1 1/16-mile GI Cotillion S. last time Sept. 25.
Mott will also saddle Godolphin homebred Caramel Swirl (Union Rags), a big-figure Saratoga allowance winner July 24 in her comebacker following a dull seventh in the Eight Belles. She was a disappointing fourth as the heavy favorite in the two-turn GIII Charles Town Oaks last time Aug. 27.
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