Pumpkin Rumble outlasts Melmich in Valedictory Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The Kevin Attard trainees Pumpkin Rumble and Melmich put on quite a show in Sunday’s Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes, with the favored Pumpkin Rumble prevailing after a stretch-long battle in the 1 3/4-mile marathon at Woodbine.

Pumpkin Rumble ($3.10) raced in fourth most of the way under Eurico Da Silva, while another Attard entrant, A.A. Azula’s Arch, set honest fractions. Pumpkin Rumble made a bid to the lead the second time around at the quarter pole, as Melmich was in the midst of a wide rally from midpack.

Melmich took a slim lead in midstretch while lugging in a little, as he usually does. Pumpkin Rumble countered late, and came back on to win by a half-length in a time of 2:56.16.

Vintage Matters finished a distant third. He was followed by Bangkok, A. A. Azula’s Arch, English Illusion, Bowsprit, Ethical Funds, and Seeking Albert.

Da Silva is the regular rider of the top two finishers, who are both 7-year-old chestnut geldings. After winning the 2015 Valedictory, Melmich has been second in each of the last three runnings.

“Melmich is an amazing horse,” Da Silva said. “It could have gone (either) way. It was looking like Melmich was going to take it, but my horse came back and dug in. I’m so proud of him.”

Following a summer slump, Pumpkin Rumble won an optional starter and the allowance prep for the Valedictory, races that helped to make him the Valedictory favorite.

“We knew this race would be up his alley, and we wanted to freshen him up,” Attard said. “We gave him some time off at the farm. I’m very happy for the owners. It’s their first graded win.”

By English Channel, Pumpkin Rumble banked $75,000 of the $125,650 purse for Al and Bill Ulwelling, who claimed him for $30,000 in March of 2014 at the Fair Grounds.