Valedictory Stakes – Grade III
WO Race #1 1 1/2m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $135.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 El Gran Cambio Bears Stable Pinto M 123 —

The weight here against the younger horses will be a factor but this four-year-old gets his chance today to prove himself at a higher level. The winner of his last four, he had been campaigned at a lower level by his former trainer, but after being claimed by Bears Stable, he was given a chance up in track level and duly kept the streak going with an impressive win at CD. I would imagine we will see him dropping into the trail early on as seems to be his style but very often you see the last challenger win these types of races in small fields and he could arrive late and run over the top of them.

2 Big Bang Boom Rock Creek Salles L 122 —

Only gets a pound from the four-year-old due to a win in the Greenwood Cup over this trip but there is no doubt that he is probably the most accomplished in this field and would probably be the starting favorite. His third in the Fayette last time was very good and as the age groups come together in ability, he looks to have found a winnable race. Likely to drop back there doesn’t seem to be much pace in this field so all the trainers in this race will have to be tactically astute or there may be one that gets a lead off a soft pace and can’t be caught.

3 Jameson Red Fox Farms Moreno O 120 —

His stakes win came at ungraded level, so he gets in here with the full penalty and that fact certainly brings him right into the reckoning. Third in both the IND Derby and the OK Derby he certainly has the CV to be a big chance, and I really like his work times which suggest he has got the pre four-year-old bump at the right time. Out of all of this field he is the most likely to get a lead or stalk and as long as the pace is steady the closers may find it hard to pass him.

4 Shadows Follow Mo Mentum Farm Moran D 120 —

A sprinter that has been running in claimers in a 12-furlong grade three stakes race, what is strange in that!! Well, it’s HRP so let’s be honest he won’t be without a winning chance, but it is hard to make a case on his body of work so far. The trainer however is no mug and there will be something they have seen to give this horse a chance, at this point though they may be the only one that sees it.

5 Valance Wood Duck Stables Wilson E J 120 —

A consistent three-year-old that may end up sitting in between the pace and the closers or could use the outside speed push to get on pace, either way he is good enough to be a chance. Won the Lee at SAR in the summer over seven furlongs but hasn’t managed a win beyond that trip in eight attempts. His works are solid enough and he generally runs an honest race, so he could be a safe bet, certainly for the exotics.

SUMMARY

Tactics will be a huge part of this race, those and pace so there are a few variables to worry about other than just picking the best horse. I think I am favoring Jameson to be the one to get the right trip over Big Bang Boom and El Gran Cambio.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES