Conglomerate ($32.90) gives Casse record-breaking sixth Valedictory triumph

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Longshot Conglomerate parlayed a perfect trip into a daylight score under Luis Contreras in Sunday’s Grade 3 Valedictory at Woodbine, giving trainer Mark Casse a record-breaking sixth win in the 1 1/2-mile Tapeta event.

The Casse-trained 5-2 second choice Win for the Money set moderate factions under Patrick Husbands, with So High and Meyer in close proximity.

Conglomerate saved ground in mid-pack before looming into contention around the three-eighths pole. Contreras angled him wide for the drive and he hit the front in midstretch before drawing clear for a 1 1/2-length tally, in a time of 2:31.49.

Collective Force, at 16-1, rallied outside to edge out Win for the Money for second. The Casse-trained Palazzi finished fourth, while the favored mare Millie Girl wound up seventh in the 14-horse field.

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The Valedictory was shortened from 1 3/4 miles in 2021, which created a short run to the first of three turns.

“I knew the first turn was going to be trouble, because everybody wants to get position,” Contreras said. “The horse helped me the whole way. After the first turn, when everybody was in trouble, I got a perfect trip. He was sitting behind the speed and I had lots of horse the whole way.”

Conglomerate, a $50,000 claim by owner Gary Barber in July, earned $90,000 of the $159,600 purse. The gelded son of Belmont Stakes victor Lemon Drop Kid returned $32.90 to win.

Casse was previously tied with Lou Cavalaris Jr. for the most training victories in the race. His other winners were Who’s the Star (2022), Sir Winston (2021), Leavem in Malibu (2017), Pool Play (2010) and Hydrogen (2003).

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