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Fran's Valentine (1982 – October, 2007) was a Thoroughbred racehorse filly, who, in 1985 as a three-year-old, won the Graded stakes races the Hollywood Oaks, Kentucky Oaks and Santa Susana Stakes. Trained by Joseph Manzi,[1] she was the first filly to win both the Kentucky Oaks and Hollywood Oaks.[2] Her lifetime earnings were $1,375,465,[3] and she had 13 wins from 34 races.[1]
| Fran's Valentine | |
|---|---|
| Breed | Thoroughbred |
| Sire | Saros |
| Grandsire | Sassafras |
| Dam | Iza Valentine |
| Damsire | Bicker |
| Sex | mare |
| Foaled | 1982 |
| Died | 2007 |
| Country | United States |
| Color | Dark bay |
| Breeder | Earl Scheib |
| Owner | Earl Scheib, George W. Strawbridge Jr. |
| Trainer | Joseph Manzi |
| Earnings | $1,375,465 |
| Major wins | |
| Las Virgenes Stakes (1985) Hollywood Oaks (1985) Kentucky Oaks (1985) Santa Susana Stakes (1985) Yankee Valor Handicap (1985) Chula Vista Handicap (1986) Santa Maria Handicap (1986) | |
| Honors | |
| Fran's Valentine Stakes (1995– ) at Santa Anita Park | |
| Last updated on 27 October 2021 | |
Fran's Valentine was bred at Green Thumb Farm Stables, in Chino, California[4] by Earl Scheib, an entrepreneur who made his fortune in discounted car paint.[5] Both of Fran's Valentine's parents, her dam Iza Valentine, and her sire, Saros, were owned by Scheib.[6] Scheib named Fran's Valentine after his wife Fran;[6] the filly was his favourite horse.[4]
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In November 1984, as a two-year-old, Fran's Valentine was first over the line in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Hollywood Park.[7] Although she finished first by half a length, Fran's Valentine was relegated to tenth after stewards judged that she had bumped another horse at the top of the back stretch.[6] The decision moved her jockey, Pat Valenzuela, to tears.[6] Scheib, who was well known for starring in television commercials promoting his discount car-painting business, was asked why he was still smiling in the commercial that aired just after the race; his questioner had not realized that the commercial had been recorded in advance.[7] Fernando Toro, the jockey of Pirate's Glow who was bumped during the race, said he could have been killed, and criticized Valenzuela's riding.[8] The win was awarded to Outstandingly, the filly that was second across the line.[9]
On March 2, 1985, Fran's Valentine won the Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita to win $77,150.[8] Later that month, ridden by Pat Valenzuela, she won the Grade I Santa Susana Stakes by two and a half lengths, earning $122,100.[7] Her next race, in May 1985, was the Kentucky Oaks.[7] Fran's Valentine was the first filly that her trainer, Joe Manzi, had entered into the Oaks,[7] and she won in a record time for the track,[1] again ridden by Valenzuela.[10] The track was hard, her preferred type of surface.[6]
In July 1985, Fran's Valentine won the Hollywood Oaks by a head over Magnificent Lindy; this was her fifth stakes victory in six starts.[11] Chris McCarron rode her to this victory in a record time for the track of 1:47.25.[11] In preparation for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Fran's Valentine defeated her male counterparts in the Yankee Valor Handicap at Santa Anita Park.[12] Her winnings were $93,300, with an additional Breeders Cup award of $27,000.[11]
In August 1986, she won the Grade II Chula Vista Handicap on a track that was hard,[6] and in 1987 she won the Santa Maria Handicap (Grade II).[1]
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After racing, Fran's Valentine became a broodmare; six of her ten foals became winners,[13] including With Anticipation, a Grade I winning horse who earned over $2.6 million in his career.[13] After having her third foal, she was bought by George W. Strawbridge Jr.[1]
Fran's Valentine was retired to Derry Meeting Farm, Cochranville, Pennsylvania, where she lived until she was euthanized at the age of 25 due to infirmities of old age.[1]
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