Feature on Valhalla and Curlin's Affair
KINGSTON, Jamaica – It was a slow day at the track with nothing really to excite the palate of pundits.
The two major performances in the view of THE QUICK GALLOPER were debutante Valhalla and her stablemate Curlin’s Affair.
Valhalla, a three-year-old chestnut filly by Blue Pepsi Lodge out of Jah Karma, looked particularly well in the parade ring and ran in a fitting manner.
Ridden by Tevin Foster and trained by champion Anthony Nunes, Valhalla got away in good order but played second fiddle to others before getting into her stride, pulling away for a win by 3 ½ lengths.
Thus far in 2022, there have been five three-year-old maiden races won by Awesome Rich (Jan 1); Shadowfax (Jan 8); Pip (Jan 15); Outbidder (Jan 16), and the Valhalla. Of note is that Awesome Rich, Shadowfax, and Pip are all colts.
There was one (non-winners of two) event in 2022, and that race showcased the talent of another filly, Atomica (Nuclear Wayne – Honkeytonkville). This chestnut filly is now two from two and has displayed all the talent necessary to be a contender in the upcoming Classic races, especially those confined to fillies only.
THE QUICK GALLOPER will be watching the three-year-olds closely.
Nunes’ second winner on the day was Curlin’s Affair with number one stable jockey Robert Halledeen in the saddle.
This fourth career win by Curlin’s Affair from seven career starts has pushed the four-year-old chestnut colt by Perfect Curlin out of Classic winning mare Nuclear Affair to the level of Overnight Allowance, where he should win comfortably before moving on to Open Allowance.
That Curlin’s Affair has reached this far to be in the Overnight Allowance grade is an achievement in itself.
This chestnut colt during the early part of his three-year-old career was rubbing close enough shoulders with the main cohort of his age group.
Then after May 8, 2021, he had to deal with injuries and only returned to competitive racing approximately six months later on October 23. Since then Curlin’s Affair has raced four times winning three in a row.
Curlin's Affair is a credit to his connections.
