Melmich has proven adept at Valedictory's marathon distance

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Melmich finished his 2015 campaign strongly with a 10 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3, $150,000 Valedictory Stakes and will be looking to repeat in this year’s edition over 1 3/4 miles on closing day at Woodbine on Sunday.

Melmich comes into the Valedictory off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Marathon Stakes on dirt at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Trainer Kevin Attard said Melmich has responded well since returning to Woodbine.

“He’s doing really well,” Attard said. “He handled the ship really well. He’s filled back in nicely at home, and he’s had a couple of good breezes in the interim.”

Melmich has done some of his best running at longer distances. In addition to the 2015 Valedictory, he ran well in last year’s Valedictory prep, earning a 95 Beyer Speed Figure over 1 5/8 miles on Polytrack. Attard said the connections felt confident about Melmich’s ability to become an effective marathoner.

“We had a good notion that was going to be the case,” Attard said. “He proved it last year. He won the Dominion Day going a mile and a quarter this year, and he didn’t disgrace himself with the two marathons that he ran south of the border.”

Valedictory, Race 9

Key Contenders

Melmich, by Wilko

Last 3 Beyers: 94-95-95

◗ Melmich is the horse to beat in the Valedictory after his rival Scuba, who has beaten him in his last two starts, was not entered.

“I was looking forward to running against him again, but there are some local horses here that have been running really well in the marathon races that they’ve put up here at Woodbine,” Attard said. “It should be a good horse race.”

Aldous Snow, by Theatrical

Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-83

◗ This multiple graded stakes winner on turf has won back-to-back marathon starts on Tapeta here, including the prep for this event Nov. 11 over 1 5/8 miles.

◗ Patrick Husbands takes over in the saddle for Eurico Da Silva. Da Silva has been on Aldous Snow for his last five starts but has opted to ride Melmich.

Decision Day, by Macho Uno

Last 3 Beyers: 93-88-89

◗ He’s the likely pacesetter and should be able to control the race on the front end. He’s in the best form of his career, having won two of his last three starts. He recorded a career-best 93 Beyer when winning a second-level allowance over 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta on Oct. 22.

Bangkok, by Street Hero

Last 3 Beyers: 82-81-76

◗ He’s been a combined 1 3/4 lengths behind Aldous Snow in his last two starts and is a longshot to consider.