Valedictorian proves best in Eatontown Stakes

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Valedictorian broke running from post 1 in the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park but Conquest Hard Candy made things tricky for her and wouldn’t let her relax, prompting her from the outside as they drew away from the other four members of the field in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Jockey Paco Lopez was able to snug Valedictorian back off Conquest Hard Candy on the backstretch, though, and guided her to the outside. Valedictorian took control of the race on the far turn and went on to score by 2 3/4 lengths.

Valedictorian returned $3.60 and was timed over a good turf course in 1:43.70. Maid to Remember, 8-1, edged out 5-2 Inflexibility for second by a nose. Conquest Hard Candy weakened to finish fifth.

Valedictorian, a 5-year-old New Jersey-bred daughter of Temple City, is now 12 for 28 for Epic Racing and trainer Kelly Breen and the winner’s share of the $165,000 Eatontown purse pushed her earnings well past $672,000.

“She ran awesome, she really likes Monmouth,” Breen said. “She grew up right down the road from here.

“She has really blossomed into a very talented filly.”

Valedictorian is now 4 for 5 over the Monmouth turf. She had a successful winter campaign at Gulfstream Park, winning her first graded stakes in the Grade 3 Suwannee River and the Sand Springs Stakes.

The logical next spot for Valedictorian at Monmouth is the Grade 3, $150,000 Matchmaker over 1 1/8 miles of turf on the July 20 Haskell Invitational card.

Valedictorian completed a double for Breen. On Friday, he won a New Jersey-bred maiden race going a mile and 70 yards with Stay Smart, a 3-year-old half-sister to Valedictorian, who is owned by her breeders, John Bowers Jr., and Edward Rosen.