Valedictorian prevails in Jersey Girl
When Valedictorian came home the runner-up for the second straight time against optional-claiming company at Gulfstream Park in March, trainer Kelly Breen decided to give her a break and make use of her New Jersey-bred status at the upcoming Monmouth Park meet. The move paid off on Wednesday's holiday card when Valedictorian scored by a head in the $75,000 Jersey Girl Handicap.
Breen is having an excellent Monmouth meet. The Jersey Girl was his 15th victory from only 51 starts, a 28 percent win average.
Winning rider Carlos Hernandez, who started his career in Puerto Rico in 2016, also is having a successful summer. The Jersey Girl was Hernandez's first stakes win, his third winner of the day, and his 18th of the meet.
Valedictorian stalked 6-1 pacesetter Heading Home through what looked to be a relaxed pace in the one-mile turf race. Valedictorian engaged Heading Home from the outside entering the stretch, put a head in front, then had to fight hard to prevail with her head cocked to the outside for much of the final furlong.
"I worked her four times in the morning and she was great, so I wasn’t worried about the layoff," Hernandez said. "I just wanted to be behind the speed, get her to relax, and then make one big run."
Valedictorian paid $5.60 as the second wagering choice in the eight-horse field. She was hand-timed in 1:36.20 due to a timer malfunction. Fractional times were not available.
Valedictorian, a daughter of Temple City, is now 7 for 18 in her career with earnings of $227,835.
"We gave her the time off and planned on this race," Breen said. "Carlos has worked her and won on her before, and now he got his first stakes win with her. It’s pretty neat to see."
Diamond Play finished well to be third, two lengths behind Heading Home.
Boomerang Miss reared in the gate before the start and unseated her rider. She ended up fourth.
Cee Bee Gee Bee, the 6-5 favorite, saved ground while racing forwardly but flattened out and finished fifth.
Kodiak Katie was squeezed back at the start and appeared rank to settle early. She finished eighth and last.
