Valbenny stamped herself as the leading local contender for the American Oaks (Benoit Photo)

VALBENNY (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]) rallied strongly in the stretch to capture Saturday's $154,750 Honeymoon Breeders' Cup H. (G2), Hollywood Park's final major prep for the July 7 American Oaks Invitational S. (G1). The Paddy Gallagher pupil rated off the pace along the inside, switched outside to make her move, and steamrolled past Super Freaky (Smart Strike) to record a 1 3/4-length decision. With regular rider Alex Solis aboard, Valbenny stopped the teletimer in 1:48 for nine furlongs on the firm turf to pay $4, $2.40 and $2.10 as the even-money favorite.

Super Freaky pressed Passified (GB) (Compton Place) through an opening quarter in :24 1/5, then moved up to race in tandem with the early leader through fractions of :48 4/5 and 1:12 3/5. Entering the stretch, Super Freaky struck the front, but she couldn't hold off the late thrust of Valbenny and just saved second by a head from Mystic Soul (Bahri). The second choice at 3-1, Super Freaky gave back $3 and $2.40, while Mystic Soul returned $3.20 at 6-1. The $1 exacta was worth $5.10, the $1 trifecta totaled $20.70 and with the 9-1 Passified salvaging fourth, the 2-7-4-6 superfecta ($1) was good for $59.50. Le Cirque (Dynaformer) checked in fifth, trailed by Round Trip Flight (Monarchos) and Eclisse (Fr) (Ski Chief). Ainamaa (Lemon Drop Kid) was scratched.

Campaigned by LGL Racing, Rita DiPietro, Michael Rosenmayer, et al, Valbenny improved her mark to 8-5-1-0 with $269,653. The bay began her career with trainer Alan Swinbank in England, breaking her maiden in her third start as a juvenile last July. Valbenny was then privately purchased and took up residence in Southern California, where she landed the Miesque S. (G3) and Blue Norther S. in her first two stateside starts. After winding up a disappointing sixth to Super Freaky in the Providencia S. (G3) in her sophomore debut, she gained her revenge with a 1 3/4-length score over that rival in the Senorita S. (G3) last time out.