Valedictorian Graduates to Graded Winner in Suwannee
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Valedictorian wins the Suwannee Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Epic Racing's Valedictorian was at the top of her class Feb. 9, finally breaking through at the graded level with a gate-to-wire to win the $150,000 Suwannee River Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park.
Breaking well from post 5 in the seven-horse field of older fillies and mares, jockey Tyler Gaffalione steered his mount straight to the lead to set the pace. Racing near the inside rail, Valedictorian was pressed early by Peach of a Gal and Luis Saez, who chased the leader only a half-length behind through fractions of :25.56, :51.88, and 1:16.64 for the first six furlongs.
Favorite Rymska saved ground running through the first turn before being guided out by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and came within striking distance of the leader. Comfortably in control as they exited the final turn, Valedictorian was asked for more at the top of the lane and responded just as Rymska prepared to make her move.
Shifting three wide, Rymska came under strong left-hand urging and managed to gain a length on the leader before Valedictorian kicked away to a 2 1/2-length win. She completed the 1 1/8-mile turf test in 1:50.12.
"I put her in front," said Gaffalione. "Nobody went with me, so I took a nice little hold. She relaxed and had her ears up the whole way. When I asked her to run, she really exploded. She had everything her own way today."
Peach of a Gal finished three-quarters of a length behind in third. Vagabond Princess, Special Event, American Frolic, and Avie's Mineshaft completed the order of finish.
Sent off at odds of 9-1, Valedictorian returned $21.20, $4.80, and $3 on a $2 wager.
"She was sharp," said Valedictorian's trainer, Kelly Breen. "I didn't think she could get a mile and an eighth. Things worked out. The pace worked out. Tyler rode her great.
"It was awesome. She's gotten better. Even going into this race, she was sharp. To see a horse that's been running once a month and stay this sharp is part of the reason why we ran in the race. We were going to skip it. We were going to look at a different thing, and (owner) Harriet (Sawyer of Epic Racing) came to the barn and saw her last workout and said, 'Would you mind going for it?' and we did it, and here we are in the winner's circle."
Bred in New Jersey by John Bowers Jr., Valedictorian is by Temple City out of the Smart Strike mare Smart N Classy. She improved her record to 10-5-3 from 24 starts, with earnings of $475,125. The Suwannee was the mare's first graded victory. She won the All Along Stakes in September at Laurel Park and the Jersey Girl Handicap last summer at Monmouth Park—the first two stakes wins for Sawyer.
Later on the card, Three Diamonds Farm's Hembree set a course record for 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf in the $100,000 El Prado Stakes.
"I got a perfect trip. I let the horse be where he is comfortable," said Ortiz. "When I asked him, he took off. He was flying home."
Abiding Star set fractions of :22.48 and :45.53 through the first half-mile. Uncle B pressed the pacesetter on the far turn and took the lead at the top of the stretch.
Running in 11th after being jostled at the break, Ortiz hustled his mount in the backstretch before angling out five wide on the far turn. The 5-year-old son of Proud Citizen dug in to win by a neck over the 2-1 favorite Mr Cub.
Trained by Mike Maker, the grade 2-winning Hembree finished in 1:27.06, besting the record of 1:27.64 set by Bow Tie Affair on April 1, 2018.
"As far back as he was, I thought he was in the clear down the lane. He had some time off after his last effort and had trained forwardly since, and he ran as we expected," Maker said. "The two turns didn't bother me, but I loved the 7 1/2-furlong distance. He was flying, and I thought for sure he'd get there. I felt confident coming off the turn."
Mr Cub was disqualified from second and placed fifth following claims of foul by Bill Mott, the trainer of Krampus, that the gelding had caused significant interference in the stretch.
Out of the Langfuhr mare Knockatrina, Hembree was bred in Kentucky by Derby Lane Farm. He was purchased by Ken and Sarah Ramsey for $40,000 from Royal Oak Farm's consignment to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has a 6-7-4 record from 24 starts and $515,961 in earnings.
Video: Suwannee River S. (G3T)