One of Canada’s all-time top jockeys, EMMA-JAYNE WILSON, has something of a knack for winning the very popular VALEDICTORY STAKES, at one time the closing day feature race for the Woodbine season run at a hefty 1 3/4 miles.
Wilson has won the race four times, tied with Patrick Husbands, Hugo Dittach and Eurico Da Silva. She has a very good chance to win a record fifth Valedictory on December 4 when she will partner with the streaking WHO’S THE STAR for Mickey Gonzalez’ M Racing Group. Ltd.
The Grade 3 Valedictory, worth $150,000-added, is being held one week before the last day of racing for the first time this year and it has also been shortened to 1 1/2 miles. Try On won the first edition of the Valedictory for William Beasley, trainer John Passero and jockey Alfie Bavington.
Who’s the Star (Tonalist – Shine Forth by Carson City) is one of the year’s most improved horses and a fellow who came to trainer Mark Casse from California in early winter. The 4-year-old won a $16,000 optional claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs in March but was well beaten in his next two races. His first race at Woodbine, a grass race for $50,000 optional claiming, saw the bright bay rally to win.
He has not lost at Woodbine in three races, all stakes, since then.
Most recently, Who’s the Star and Wilson won the Grade 2 Autumn Stakes and Grade 3 Durham Cup and he is easily the front-runner for Champion Older Horse in Canada.
Who’s the Star was a $375,000 yearling purchase three years ago at Keeneland September. He was trained by John Sadler (of Flightline fame) for his first few career races.
Wilson has won Valedictory Stakes on Marsh Side, Heathcote, Turkish and Bangkok.
The Valedictory, race 7 on Sunday, has drawn a field of 12 and one of the main rivals to Who’s the Star is NOVO SOL (Brz), who had his first visit to Woodbine last month when third to Who’s the Star in the Autumn. Patrick Husbands, also on the cusp of winning a record five Valedictorys, rides.
GRADE 3 VALEDICTORY STAKES
POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER
1 – English Conqueror – Daisuke Fukumoto – Darwin Banach
2 – Seventyseven Stone – Ademar Santos – Paul Lepiane
3 – Novo Sol (BRZ) – Patrick Husbands – Saffie Joseph, Jr.
4 – Angelou – Luis Contreras – Kevin Attard
5 – Elusive Knight – Gary Boulanger – Michael Doyle
6 – British Royalty – Justin Stein – Barbara Minshall
7 – Wentru – Rafael Hernandez – Martin Drexler
8 – Ya Beauty (GB) – Jeffrey Alderson – Nigel Burke
9 – Collective Force – Eswan Flores – Rachel Halden
10 – Megayacht – Kazushi Kimura – Christophe Clement
11 – Prideofdistinction – Sahin Civaci – Martin Drexler
12 – Who’s the Star – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse
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