Valedictory Stakes – Grade III
WO Race #2 1 1/2m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $125.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Kaunakakai The Sidley Stud Campbell J

This one has really improved since being sent over the longer trips winning two of his last three very easily and finishing a close fourth in the BC Marathon last time. This is another of those three’s that s working in the low 1.36’s for the mile so he really could be anything but i have a feeling this could be the one that is improving at the right time for a race like this.

2 What The Farley YME Stable Stein J

Seven wins from eighteen tell us this one knows where the winning post is and his last two runs have been very nice resulting in good wins. The 3 Lbs that he has to give the three’s is the problem though and even from the perfect draw he may find it too tough.

3 California Chrome Aer Stables Husbands

Unfortunately the name doesnt quite live up to the form for this one but he does have a grade three win to his name so should be written off. He has been up aganst some good horses in his last two but proved in the Jones Stakes that he has what it takes at this level.

4 Loon Lake D J C Racing Stables Ryan S

Just a length behind Kaunakakai in the BC Marathon and third in the Premiers the time before that certainly suggests that this trip is what he has been looking for and those 1.36 mile works certainly put him in the mix. The jockey is in good form and whilst not ideal the draw shouldnt be too much of a problem so he must rate a chance in an even field.

5 Lionking Invader Estero Farms Boulanger

This was a serious KYD hope before an epic failure in that race but he has since proved that form was down to the wet track with much better efforts. Fourth in the Ct Classic he ran some good races without winning most notably when beaten only two lengths in the BC Dirt Mile when ninth. Like the other he has the works and is happy over this trip so its more down to his draw and his lack of a win in his last 9 races.

SUMMARY

Whilst he doesnt have the depth of form of some of the others i do think that Kaunakakai is improving at the right tme to win a race like this. Second should be fought out between LionKing Invador and the four year old What The Farley.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES