German champ Neon Light breaks outside in Valley View

NEON LIGHT (Ger) (Refuse to Bend [Ire]), Germany's juvenile filly highweight

last season after scoring in the Preis der Winterkonigin (Ger-G3), made only one

more start in her native land this season prior to her importation. On Friday,

the bay will hope to make her debut for Kiaran McLaughlin a winning one in the

$150,000

Valley

View S. (G3) at Keeneland over 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

The Valley View was run in two divisions in 2009, but goes with just one this

time. However, an overflow field of 14 three-year-old fillies were entered with

only 12 allowed to start.

Neon Light was a lukewarm favorite in her seasonal bow, the May 1 German One

Thousand Guineas (Ger-G2), and didn't fare badly when a late-closing third after

failing to find racing room in the Dusseldorf straight. She did not race again

for trainer Andreas Wohler until the July 28 Lake George S. (G2) at Saratoga.

Enduring a wide trip and unfamiliar surroundings, Neon Light finished seventh

but was only beaten 2 1/4 lengths. Moved to McLaughlin's barn following that

loss, she has the potential to move forward despite being saddled with post 12

with Julien Leparoux taking the reins.

There are no standouts among the competition. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard will

send out FUGITIVE ANGEL (Alphabet Soup), who has been undefeated in three starts

since joining the barn. The latter two victories were against Pennsylvania-bred

stakes company, one of which was on grass. Meanwhile, CAMINADORA (More Than

Ready) enters the Valley View as the only other graded winner in the field,

having notched the June 12 Regret S. (G3). However, she's been unplaced twice

since pulling off the 32-1 upset in that Churchill Downs fixture.

IN THE SLIPS (More Than Ready) will make her first start since May and for

trainer Greg Fox. Heroine of the Blue Norther S. as a juvenile, her best effort

in three subsequent starts was a third in the Providencia S. (G2). Others with

graded placings include Lake George third NO EXPLAINING (Ire) (Azamour [Ire]),

Sands Point S. (G2) runner-up CRESCENDA (Bowman's Band) and Pucker Up S. (G3)

third SILENT CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]).

Others of note are last-out Carotene S. winner JENNY'S SO GREAT (Greatness)

and Garden City S. (G1) fourth PERSUADING (Broken Vow).