Melmich Seeks Repeat in Marathon Valedictory

Melmich will be seeking to defend his title in the Dec. 4 Valedictory Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine. The 14-furlong test, which carries a $150,000 purse, saw Melmich devour his field by 10 1/4 lengths last year.

Melmich has continued to run well in the interim, scoring in the Dominion Day Stakes (Can-III) in July and again in the Aug. 31 Elgin Stakes. He most recently checked in fourth behind Scuba in the Marathon Stakes (gr. II), run on the first day of the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 4.

Aldous Snow carries the largest bank account ($681,818) in the field, and enters off a pair of allowance scores, at 13 and 12 furlongs. He won the Singspiel Stakes (Can-III) last year and is in good form. Mutasaawy also has a two-race allowance victory streak going and should be running late.

Decision Day looks to have the best early speed of this group, and has been able to carry it to victory in a couple of recent allowance optional claimers. He hasn’t been able to step up successfully to graded stakes company recently, however. Ethical Funds has shown the ability to stalk and pounce in lesser company but also has more to prove here.

English Illusion is graded stakes placed, having finished third behind Ami’s Gizmo in the Ontario Derby (Can-III).  He is a 3-year-old facing older.