Nine 2-Year-Olds Ready for Step Forward in Bowman Mills

The Oct. 28 $200,000 Bowman Mills Stakes will provide the field of nine 2-year-olds an opportunity to try to position themselves for a strong 3-year-old campaign. 

Many in the field have struggled when attempting runs in graded stakes. With a more level playing field over six furlongs on the dirt at Keeneland, one of these entrants will shine.

A son of Justify  , Valentine Candy  bounced back from a ninth-place effort in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) with a second in an allowance optional claiming race at the Lexington track Oct. 7. He is trained by Steve Asmussen. 

D. Wayne Lukas trainee Market Street  broke his maiden on first asking, but since then has had mostly struggles in graded company. After a sixth in the Sanford Stakes (G3), the Street Sense   colt showed promise with a second in the Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special Stakes (G2), but couldn’t build on that with a seventh in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3) and eighth in the Iroquois Stakes (G3).

Meanwhile, gelding Sweet Soddy J  began his career with two firsts and a third but landed eighth in the Champagne Stakes (G1).