Valedictorian game in Sand Springs triumph

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – After watching Valedictorian get outkicked to the wire just four weeks earlier when beaten a half-length by Precieuse in the Grade 3 Honey Fox, trainer Kelly Breen had to wonder if his filly was heading for a similar fate as the field turned for home in Saturday’s $100,000 Sand Springs. But this time it was Valedictorian who had the most left in the tank at the end, turning back a determined bid from the even-money Proctor’s Ledge to register a hard-fought head decision in the one-mile turf fixture for older fillies and mares.

Valedictorian sat the perfect trip under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, stalking the early pace of the 49-1 Vendita before readily taking command approaching the far turn. Proctor’s Ledge, idle since the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor on Oct. 10, raced three wide while stalking the early leaders, engaged Valedictorian on the second turn, but could never get past the leader, who dug in gamely under a vigorous hand ride through the final furlong. Andina Del Sur finished 1 3/4 lengths farther back in third.

Valedictorian has now won four of her last seven starts, including a pair of Grade 3 stakes earlier in the meet. The 6 -year-old daughter of Temple City is owned by Epic Racing. She paid $7.40 after covering the distance over a firm course in 1:34.92.

“It was a great stretch duel,” said Breen. “After seeing the half-mile [split], I knew she’d have a kick. It was just of matter of whether the nine [Proctor’s Ledge] was ready or not, and if we’d outkick her. Tyler rode a great race and she’s just a super filly.”

Breen said Valedictorian would make her next start on the Kentucky Derby undercard in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile.