Valedictorian Aims to Stay on Top in Honey Fox

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Valedictorian Aims to Stay on Top in Honey Fox
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Leslie Martin

Tyler Gaffalione returned from a three-day trip to Doha, Qatar, earlier this week after riding Feb. 23 in the $1 million His Highness The Emir's Trophy.

While Gaffalione didn't visit the winner's circle, the adventure was well worth the 15-hour trip.

"The trip was fun, a great experience," Gaffalione said. "You get to see a whole other side of the world. The atmosphere was great. Everyone was very welcoming. I never expected to go to a place like that. To see it first-hand is pretty incredible."

Back at Gulfstream Park, Gaffalione is scheduled to ride Epic Racing's Valedictorian in the $150,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G3T). New Jersey-bred Valedictorian enters Saturday's one-mile turf test for older fillies and mares off a front-running victory in the Suwannee River Stakes (G3T) Feb. 9 at Gulfstream.

A 5-year-old daughter of Temple City  trained by Kelly Breen, Valedictorian has been a model of consistency, winning 10 of 24 starts and finishing first, second, or third in 18 races.

"She had everything her way the day (of the Suwannee River)," Gaffalione said. "She was the lone speed, she broke nicely, rated nicely, and she was real relaxed down the backside. When I asked her for run she opened it up and took the race away from them at that point. She finished up well that day. I'm looking forward to her next start.

"I don't think she needs the lead, but if she can get it easy enough I think it helps."

Valedictorian is listed at 6-1 on the morning-line while trainer Todd Pletcher brings back Bellavais, winner of the Jan. 12 Marshua's River (G3T) and the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The 5-year-old daughter of Tapit  has compiled five wins from 14 starts (12 on the turf) while competing at eight different tracks.  

The expected field of 10 also includes Peter Brant's group 1 winner Precieuse, who will make her 2019 debut; and Don Alberto Stable's Dolce Lili, who won the South Beach Stakes Jan. 26 at Gulfstream.

Saturday's card also offers the $150,000 Very One Stakes (G3T), for older fillies and mares on the turf going longer at 1 3/16 miles. Stronach Stables' Holy Helena is the 9-5 morning-line favorite to win the Very One for a second straight season, although the 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper  is winless in six straight races.

Last year Holy Helena, a Canadian classic winner over males, rallied from fifth to score a clear victory in the Very One.

The expected field of eight also includes John O'Connor's Semper Sententiae, who will try for her first stakes win after placing in three straight stakes races; and Tricky Escape, a multiple grade 3 winner for owner Jon Marshall.


Entries: Very One S. (G3T)

Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 02, 2019, Race 7

  • Grade IIIT
  • 1 3/16m
  • Turf
  • $150,000
  • 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
  • 2:30 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Danceland (KY) John R. Velazquez 119 Claude R. McGaughey III 6/1
2 2The Tulip (IRE) Joel Rosario 117 Patrick Gallagher 10/1
3 3Holy Helena (ON) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 119 James A. Jerkens 9/5
4 4Semper Sententiae (KY) Javier Castellano 117 Mark A. Hennig 7/2
5 5Lafta (KY) Julien R. Leparoux 121 Patrick L. Biancone 10/1
6 6Ickymasho (GB) Jose L. Ortiz 119 Roger L. Attfield 12/1
7 7Tricky Escape (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Christopher P. DeCarlo 121 John C. Servis 9/2
8 8A. A. Azula's Arch (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Luis Saez 117 Kevin Attard 12/1
9 9Eskimo Kisses (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 117 Kenneth G. McPeek 2/1




Entries: Honey Fox S. (G3T)

Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 02, 2019, Race 11

  • Grade IIIT
  • 1m
  • Turf
  • $150,000
  • 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
  • 4:30 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Precieuse (IRE) Javier Castellano 117 Chad C. Brown 7/2
2 2Valedictorian (NJ) Tyler Gaffalione 123 Kelly J. Breen 6/1
3 3Fire Key (NY) Manuel Franco 121 Joseph C. Catanese, III 15/1
4 4La Signare (FR) Jose L. Ortiz 117 Brian A. Lynch 6/1
5 5Valentine Wish (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Chris Landeros 117 Victoria H. Oliver 30/1
6 6Scotty's Model (ON) Julien R. Leparoux 119 Yvon Belsoeur 20/1
7 7Conquest Hardcandy (NY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Joe Bravo 117 Antonio Sano 15/1
8 8Hogans Holiday (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Irad Ortiz, Jr. 121 Marcus J. Vitali 15/1
9 9Bellavais (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Joel Rosario 123 Todd A. Pletcher 3/1
10 10Dolce Lili (KY) John R. Velazquez 121 William I. Mott 4/1