In 2014, trainer Todd Beattie brought an allowance-winning filly to Keeneland off a victory over the all-weather track at Presque Isle Downs. Her name was Taris. She was Beattie’s first Keeneland starter, and did she ever make an impression in the Lexus Raven Run (G2). 

Sent off at odds of 7-1, Taris won by 9 lengths and set a track record of 1:21.32 for the 7 furlongs. The track record stood for six years until Gamine posted a 1:20.20 in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). 

Did Beattie think Taris would make such a splash? 

“Sure did,” Beattie said Thursday morning. “I had a lot of confidence in her, and everything was going so right. She had had some issues, and we gave her time and she was doing really well. I believed in her so much.” 

Beattie arrived here Wednesday with another filly for this year’s Lexus Raven Run. Like Taris, Simply Stated comes to Keeneland off an allowance victory over the all-weather surface at Presque Isle Downs. 

“I have only had Simply Stated for one race, and I am getting to know her,” said Beattie, who trains the filly for Commonwealth New Era Racing. “I’ve had her for less than 60 days, and this is a big step.” 

A winner of five of seven races, Simply Stated never has raced farther than 6 furlongs. 

“I like the added distance for her,” Beattie said. “I would not be shocked if she’s better going seven-eighths or longer.”