Pender Harbour makes swan song in Valedictory
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pender Harbour’s accomplished career will come to an end at Woodbine on Sunday, when the 7-year-old gelding will make his final start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Valedictory Stakes over 1 3/4 miles on Polytrack.
In 40 career starts, Pender Harbour has recorded 12 wins and has hit the board 29 times. He’s won 10 stakes races, including two Canadian classics, and was named Canadian champion 3-year-old in 2011.
Trainer Mike De Paulo said Pender Harbour has been the most durable horse he’s ever trained. The horse has made at least seven starts, most in stakes, every season since 2011.
“This guy has been a warrior,” De Paulo said. “He’s pretty much retiring sound. This horse has been the most durable, and he’s done the most for me.”
Pender Harbour crossed the line third in the Valedictory last season but was elevated to second after the disqualification of Royal Blessing. Last year’s Valedictory was not originally in the plans for Pender Harbour but became a backup option after he was scratched in the gate ahead of the Sir Barton Stakes a week earlier.
This year, De Paulo said, Pender Harbour has been pointed to the Valedictory.
“We’re better prepared this year because we were aiming for it,” De Paulo said. “Last year, it was an afterthought. When he flipped in the gate in the Sir Barton, we had to come back and regroup real quick.”
Also in the field is Melmich, who has beaten Pender Harbour twice recently. Melmich won the allowance prep for the Valedictory over 1 5/8 miles on Nov. 5 and the Elgin Stakes on Sept. 2, with Pender Harbour finishing second in both.
Key contenders
Pender Harbour (Last 3 Beyers: 93-98-97)
◗ De Paulo said Pender Harbour is “doing well” coming into the Valedictory.
Melmich (Last 3 Beyers: 95-96-102)
◗ A $20,000 claim by trainer Kevin Attard in September 2014, Melmich has won five of his seven starts this season, including a two-length victory in the prep for this event.
◗ Turkish, trained by Attard’s father, Tino, came back to win the Valedictory last season after winning the local prep.
Royal Blessing (Last 3 Beyers: 81-77-86)
◗ He was disqualified from second and placed third in this race last year, and he returns with new connections after being claimed by trainer Brendan Walsh for $25,000 earlier this year.
Royal Son (Last 3 Beyers: 99-81-82)
◗ The 3-year-old faces older horses and will travel beyond 1 1/8 miles for the first time.
◗ He ran third in the Grade 2 Autumn Stakes here Nov. 8.