Seattlespectacular takes Valedictory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Seattlespectacular assumed command entering the stretch for the final time and then drew off for a 10 and three-quarter length victory in Sunday's $140,725 Valedictory Handicap, the closing day feature of the Woodbine meeting.

Trainer Sid Attard took the blinkers off Seattlespectacular for the mile and three-quarter marathon, which helped the Seattle Slew gelding to rate kindly, according to jockey Patrick Husbands.

"He relaxed leaving the gate, and really enjoyed his running," Husbands said. "He was comfortable, and when I got him to the outside five furlongs out, he really responded."

Last Answer, who pressed front-running Solihull through moderate fractions, finished a length and three-quarters clear of Vegas Venture in second in the nine-horse field. The final time was 3:01.81 seconds.

Seattlespectacular ($6.50) earned $83,475 for owner Roger Patten, who claimed him for $40,000 in August.

*Husbands also landed Sunday's supporting feature, the $125,800 Kingarvie Stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds, aboard Bad Hat.

Bad Hat ($3.40) prevailed by a length and a quarter over 15-1 shot Pressac in the mile and a sixteenth event, running the distance in 1:48.98. It was Bad Hat's third win in three starts for his trainer and co-owner, Mike DePaulo.