Wentru, Who's the Star Dead-Heat in Valedictory
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Photo: Michael Burns
Wentru (inside) and Who's the Star dead heat in the Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine
After a frenzied rush by Who's the Star to catch up to Wentru in the Dec. 4 Valedictory Stakes (G3) at Woodbine, the two dead-heated for the win in the 1 1/2-mile event for 3-year-olds and up.
Out in front quickly was Wentru, who after a quarter-mile led by a length in :24.85 ahead of Angelou and British Royalty . The 4-year-old gelded son of Tourist continued in front the second time around the all-weather track in :49.47 and 1:15.49.
As the 12-horse field entered the final turn, Wentru, under Rafael Hernandez, was urged forward and extended his lead to three lengths at the eighth pole. Halfway down the stretch, Who's the Star piloted by Emma-Jayne Wilson, made a desperate bid from the outside to catch up to the leader.
Who's the Star passed English Conqueror and Novo Sol and met with Wentru at the wire in 2:31.10. Both were declared winners after a photo finish could not separate them.
Wentru ($30.30) improved to 6-1-2 from 19 starts and increased his earnings to $166,673. Who's the Star ($3.40) jumped to 7-1-2 from 17 starts and raised his total to $375,940.
English Conqueror was second and Novo Sol was third.
Wentru captured his first stakes victory for trainer Martin Drexler and TEC Racing, who purchased the gelding for $34,000 from Taylor Made Sales Agency's consignment to the 2021 Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale. Most of his starts in 2022 have been at Woodbine, including his last three wins in claiming and allowance optional claiming races over the Ontario oval.
He was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation out of the winning Tapit mare Wicked Temper. She has four winners from four foals to race, including Mozu Eroico, an earner of $245,949 in Japan. The dam also has a yearling The Factor colt and a 2022 Stay Thirsty filly. She was bred back to Stay Thirsty for 2023.
Who's the Star arrived at the Valedictory after consecutive wins in graded stakes, the Oct. 8 Durham Cup Stakes (G3) and the Nov. 6 Autumn Stakes (G2) last out for trainer Mark Casse and M Racing Group. The 4-year-old Tonalist gelding was purchased by Golden Star Farm at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Penn Sales consignment for $375,000.
He was bred in Kentucky out of the Carson City mare Shine Forth, who has six winners from six foals to race, including 2012 Super Derby (G2) winner Bourbon Courage , who earned more than $1 million from 25 starts. Who's the Star is her last reported foal.