Valedictorian at head of class in Suwannee

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Trainer Kelly Breen wasn’t sure Valedictorian could get 1 1/8 miles, especially going up against 1-5 favorite Rymska in Saturday’s Grade 3 Suwannee River at Gulfstream. But after benefitting from a slow pace, Valedictorian not only stayed the distance, she handled Rymska with relative ease, cruising to a 2 1/2-length victory under a crafty ride by jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

Gaffalione took Valedictorian right to the lead, then backed down the pace and stacked the field behind him after posting early splits of 25.56, 51.88, and 1:16.64 for the opening six furlongs over the firm course. Valedictorian maintained a short advantage to the stretch, scooted away to a commanding advantage when set down for the drive and was never seriously threatened thereafter.

Rymska, making her first start since a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Matriarch on Dec. 2, raced in mid-pack off the slow early pace, moved to closer contention on the final turn, but was unable to menace the winner while holding second by three parts of a length over Peach of a Gal.

Valedictorian, a 5-year-old daughter of Temple Cty, is owned by Harriet Sawyer’s Epic Racing. She completed the distance in 1:50.12 and paid $21.20 for the first graded stakes win of her career.

“She was sharp going in, but I didn’t think she could get a mile and one eighth,” Breen said. “But things worked out. The pace worked out. Tyler rode her great. The four horse (Rymska) is a pretty, pretty, classy filly. I was hoping if we got the chance we could scoot away from her at the top of the stretch. Game plans don’t always come to fruition, but this one worked out great.”

Breen said he had other options picked out for Valedictorian, but opted for the Suwannee River with a little prodding from his owner.

“Harriet came to the barn, saw her last workout and said would you mind going for it,” Breen said. “And here we are in the winner’s circle.”