Valedictory Stakes – Grade III
1 1/2 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $135.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st El Gran Cambio Bears Stable Pinto M 2:29.18

Dropped back as expected and his usual late finish was good enough to seal the win by three quarters of a length. This is a great claim and one that looks a natural to emerge as a five-year-old that will be a grade one contender. The only drawback will be this late running style in a bigger field, but good horses find a way to win, and he has now won five in a row.

2nd Big Bang Boom Rock Creek Salles L 2:29.37

The last to challenge but the race was done by the time he got going. Like the winner his late style can be a gamble but unlike the winner he didn’t get the tactics quite right today. Still a decent effort from a three-year-old and he will no doubt be a decent horse next year.

3rd Valance Wood Duck Stables Wilson E J 2:29.51

Stalked the lead which should’ve been the right tactic but when it came down to the run for the line he had no answers to the late finishers. Another three-year-old so there is more improvement to come, and he will strengthen up next year.

4th Jameson Red Fox Farms Moreno O 2:29.81

Went to the front but in the end just didn’t stay these 12 furlongs strongly enough. A nice enough sort but just behind the pace may suit him in future.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES