Conceit, Mashallah Lock Horns in Raven Run

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It looks to be a two-filly race in the GII Lexus Raven Run at Keeneland as 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Mashallah (Maxfield) and GIII Dogwood victress Conceit (Not This Time) both descend on the Lexington venue in what's rounding out to be a throw down worthy of the World Championships at the end of the month.The main stars of this contest will eyeball each other in the gate, and at least on paper, racing fans could see a battle that harkens back to many a great rivalry if they both fire.Mashallah, with her monstrous 106 Beyer figure earned over this track last April on debut, hasn't raced at Keeneland since that effort. But that number is heads and heels higher than anything the rest of this field has managed, including Conceit, and if she runs back to that figure, it might end up a race for second-place. That said, it can't be ignored that she has yet to get back to that number despite big-margin wins in her most recent trio of races.Since returning to the seven-furlong or shorter distances, the daughter of Maxfield (whose colt sensation Englishman is tuning up for a Breeders' Cup tilt) has been nigh untouchable. Her seven-length win July 4 at Saratoga going 6 1/2 furlongs produced a 96 Beyer while her Aug. 1 Tyson Gilpin win generated an 86 despite her 5 1/2-length margin. Her GIII Prioress Stakes tour-de-force saw her handily defeating both Mythical (St Patrick's Day) and Hen Party (Into Mischief), who return here as well.Conceit has enjoyed a brisk rise to prominency since swapping from turf and synthetics to the main track. After a nearly seven-month layoff that started in early January, she came back June 26 at Churchill a different filly. She dominated first-level allowance foes by over 10 lengths and since then has marched through the conditions in quick succession. She defeated A Fine Chardonnay (Maclean's Music) with a gutsy effort in the Audubon Oaks Aug. 9, and was the ultimate benefactor of the Explora (Blame) and Movie Night (Speightstown) speed duel in the GIII Dogwood Stakes to win a blanket photo by a head. Like Mashallah, she's defeated several returning faces in this field, and barring one of them taking another large step forward, she already has their number.One cannot forget a Grade I winner in any field, and it's especially true for 'Rising Star' Percy's Bar (Upstart) as she also returns to a favored track. The GI Darley Alcibiades runner-up (after being DQ'd from the win) and GI Ashland Stakes victress has consistently proven herself a top-shelf racehorse with her worst efforts on the main track coming in the GI Kentucky Oaks and Listed Monomoy Girl Stakes. Considering the money printing machine that is Kentucky Downs, her connections can be forgiven for taking a shot last out Sept. 5 in the GII Music City Stakes. She finished well back of the winner that day, but Percy's Bar returns to her backyard for the Raven Run, and she's going to be a salty customer.The outside half of the starting gate is loaded with most of the top contenders as Movie Night, who looks to go one better on the front end from her Dogwood effort, is just to the outside of unbeaten new shooter With a Kiss (Gun Runner) and one in from Star Actress (Justify) in the 12 hole. Deep Flame winning the Maxfield | Coady Media'Rising Star' Deep Flame Leads Perryville FieldDrawing the farthest out of the field, 'Rising Star' Deep Flame (Into Mischief) looks to collect his second graded victory in the GIII Perryville Stakes at Keeneland.Twice a runner-up before finally breaking out of the maiden ranks May 17 at Churchill, the Juddmonte colorbearer took an enormous step forward on paper when he annexed the GIII Maxfield Stakes by over five lengths–earning a 103 Beyer for handily defeating American Man (Maclean's Music) and next-out Ellis Park Derby victor Igniter (Volatile) that afternoon. In his next jump at Saratoga, he ran headlong into Maxfield's 'Rising Star' son Englishman as the Cherie DeVaux star powered home in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. Deep Flame, despite being 3 3/4 lengths away from the winner (who earned a massive 117 Beyer figure), was given a 110 Beyer for his runner-up effort.Considering his most recent figures, there isn't a runner in the field who comes close to beating him, but nothing is ever a sure thing in horse racing until the results are official.To Deep Flame's inside is dual black type runner, fellow 'Rising Star' Obliteration (Violence). Like most Steve Asmussen horses, the colt has consistently taken his show on the road and is a graded winner on the dirt as well as being stakes-placed on the grass–all accomplished at seven different tracks including overseas in Saudi Arabia. He hasn't won since the May 16 Chick Lang Stakes, and was a distant third June 6 in the GI Woody Stephens behind Englishman and Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), but he's remained in the money against tough customers.To the inside of that duo, Doublecents (Goldencents) enters this race on a two-race winstreak. He defeated first-level allowance company by four lengths Aug. 22 at Remington Park and returned to action at Churchill Sept. 19 to win the Harrods Creek Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths. That victory earned a 95 Beyer, which was his best result on paper since he broke his maiden in May at Oaklawn Park.Two Winners of Canadian Triple Crown Races Face Off in Ontario DerbyPrince of Wales Stakes hero Military Time (Gun Runner) and Breeders' Stakes victor Fire and Wine (Lexitonian) return in the GIII Ontario Derby, but will have a host of new shooters to contend with including unbeaten Toronto Cup winner Chaos Agent (Independence Hall).Teleport | Sarah AndrewTaking his third shot at Chaos Agent since arriving in Canada is Teleport (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who is a two-time winner solely through disqualifications. He was elevated to the top spot last out Sept. 24 against local optional claimers and before that against Saratoga company on debut as a juvenile. He'll get blinkers on for this jump for trainer Kevin Attard while fellow Repole-owned Final Score (Not This Time) will shed the blinkers to try and return to winning ways since leaving the Todd Pletcher barn ahead of his start in the Toronto Cup.A race later is the GIII Ontario Fashion Stakes, where 3-year-old fillies will take on their elders, led by Austere (Mendelssohn). In a race largely devoid of speed, Minimum Forty (Souper Speedy) has both that and a rail trip to her disposal. Sea Runner (Gun Runner) to her outside looks to get back on track for new trainer Josie Carroll.Dowager Takes Center Stage Sunday at KeenelandTurf marathon specialist Speed Shopper (Quality Road) returns to the lawn for the GIII Dowager Stakes at Keeneland after an unsuccessful start in the GI Personal Ensign Stakes, and looks to collect her third graded victory at the 1 1/2-mile distance.The Will Walden-trainee was last seen defeating Golden Sunshine (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GIII Bewitch Stakes at this venue in April. She hasn't hit the board since then after taking on salty company in the GI New York Stakes and the GII Glens Falls at Saratoga but is returning to a surface that she's won over.To her inside is Pretty Tapit (Tapit), who took a big jump on paper last out Sept. 3 at Kentucky Downs to win a first-level allowance by 7 1/4 lengths and post a 95 Beyer after a previous high-mark of 76 when breaking her maiden three back June 14 at this distance over Churchill's turf course. Modarosa (Palace Malice) from the far outside came a neck short of taking the Forever Together Stakes gate-two-wire Sept. 20 at Belmont Park, and with little pace here if Pretty Tapit decides to wait and see, it wouldn't be a surprise if Modarosa tried that tactic again.The post Conceit, Mashallah Lock Horns in Raven Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.