Casses notches seventh Valedictory triumph with Get Smokin

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Mark Casse registered a record seventh win in the Grade 3 Valedictory when Get Smokin made all the running in the 1 1/2-mile marathon under Sahin Civaci on Saturday.

On a cold, snowy afternoon at Woodbine, Get Smokin set a moderate pace while being stalked by a wide Collective Force and Stanley House, who got to the rail before the second of three turns after breaking from the outside in the 10-horse field.

Longshot Classic Mo Town made a wide bid into contention on the far turn, where the stalkers faded, and made his way into second in the stretch, but Get Smokin kicked on and prevailed by 3 3/4 lengths, in a final time of 2:31.64.

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Classic Mo Town finished a clear second over the closing favorite Loose Wire. Dancin in Da’nile, Stanley House, Junipero Serra, Collective Force, Roscar, Stone Age and English Conqueror completed the order of finish.

“It’s very important going a mile and farther (that) horses relax, and he’s very experienced,” Civaci said. “He was a relaxed horse throughout the whole race, and that really determines the race.”

A gelded son of Get Stormy, Get Smokin paid $12.10 and earned $81,000 of the $141,130 purse for the partnership of Ironhorse Racing Stable, Black Ridge Stables, and Saratoga Seven Racing Partners. The 7-year-old recorded two previous Grade 2 victories, in the Grade 2 United Nations in July at Monmouth and in last year’s Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs.

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