Marsh Side victorious in Valedictory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Marsh Side, a 3-year-old Maryland shipper trained by Michael Dickinson, registered an easy victory Sunday in Woodbine's closing day feature, the $125,800 Valedictory Stakes.

Favored True Metropolitan was rank on the lead in the mile and a three-quarter marathon while setting a lively pace under Todd Kabel. Marsh Side raced seven lengths off the early lead before moving into contention heading into the far turn, then drew off in the stretch to prevail by three and three-quarter lengths.

Bureaucratic rallied from last in the seven-horse field to end up second, finishing three and three-quarter lengths clear of a fading True Metropolitan.

Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson had never ridden Marsh Side until the Valedictory.

"It takes him a while to get going," said Wilson. "(Assistant trainer Joy Cooper) said to me in the paddock to not fight him, if he was going along easy enough. He made a nice little move to put us into a good striking position going by the wire the first time. I had so much horse, that it was just a matter of when to go."

Marsh Side ($20.70) covered the distance in 2:58.27 seconds, earning $75,000 in his first stakes score for owner/breeder Robert Evans.