Get Smokin Seeks to Rebound on Tapeta in Valedictory

Veteran Get Smokin , a 7-year-old gelding by Get Stormy , looks to return to his winning form Dec. 7 when he faces 10 opponents in the CA$135,000 Valedictory Stakes (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, a six-time Valedictory winner, sends out the multiple graded stakes-winning turf horse who has more than $2 million in career earnings and was most recently a disappointing last of five in the Sept. 28 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Aqueduct Racetrack. The gelding races for owners Ironhorse Racing Stable, BlackRidge Stables, Saratoga Seven Racing Partners, and T-N-T Equine Holdings.

Sahin Civaci has the mount Saturday on 3-1 morning-line favorite Get Smokin, who has started just once on a synthetic surface, finishing a close fourth in the June 1 Eclipse Stakes (G2) at Woodbine in his season debut this year.

Stanley House , a 4-year-old son of Army Mule  , has fallen just short in his last two attempts at graded stakes glory at Woodbine. The Mike De Paulo trainee recently ran third in the Nov. 16 Autumn Stakes (G2) when racing 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta for owners John and Diana Russell. He is 5-1 on the morning line.

"He did what he always does and came with a big run," said De Paulo. "Unfortunately, he got blocked along the rail and when he finally got clear, he couldn't catch the leaders. He's had a lot of tough luck throughout his career. You always get the effort and you always know he will have that energetic finish, so it would be nice to see him get that first stakes win. He deserves it."

Collective Force , last year's Valedictory Stakes runner-up, comes into Saturday's race off a five-length win in an allowance optional claimer Oct. 6 on Tapeta for trainer Rachel Halden. He is a 15-1 outsider for Chiefswood Stables.

"It all kind of came together at the right time," Halden said. "We felt good going into that race and he did what we thought he was capable of doing.

"He comes round in the fall. He has run his best races in the late fall and we are hoping for that same kind of effort this time."

Halden and Chiefswood Stables also start Roscar , a 3-year-old son of Oscar Performance  . He recently finished a fast-closing third in an allowance optional claiming race at Woodbine Nov. 17. He won the CA$400,000 Breeders' Stakes, the third jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, on turf Sept. 29 at Woodbine and looks to return to that form Saturday. 

"Obviously, he's had a bit of a mixed-up year, and we haven't been able to get into a smooth rhythm with him," said Halden after the Breeders' score. 

The wide-open field also includes Stone Age , a multiple graded stakes-placed son of Galileo, and the Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables-owned Loose Wire , a lightly raced son of Street Sense   coming off an allowance optional claiming win at Woodbine Oct. 27. Kevin Attard trains the $925,000 yearling purchase.