Woodbine Mohawk Park: Valedictory, Niagara Series finals held

The Valedictory and Niagara Pacing Series finals headlined Friday night's card at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the final program prior to Ontario's "emergency brake" shutdown. Rescheduled from Boxing Day due to a prior lockdown, the C$35,000 finals of the Valedictory and Niagara were worth the wait for Captain Video and Rose Run Victory.

A third quarter slugfest in the Valedictory saw Captain Video turn away 1-5 favorite Beyond Better on his way to winning for driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Richard Moreau.

A 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous, Captain Video shot out to the lead in the six-horse field and set opening-half fractions of 28 and 56. Beyond Better, who was entering on a five-race win streak, got away fourth and made his bid for the lead approaching the half.

Captain Video and Beyond Better waged war in the third quarter, pacing a 27 second split. The outside challenger was no match for Captain Video, who kicked-away in the lane to win impressively by 6 1/4 lengths in 1:51 2/5. Beyond Better held second over Bee Two Bee and Cold Creek Cabo.

The Valedictory Series victory gives Captain Video three wins in six starts this season and 11 for his career. The Moreau trainee has posted four wins in seven starts since being purchased last November by 1876472 Ontario Inc., Ecurie CSL, and Sam and Michael Sergi. A career winner of C$108,235, Captain Video returned $8.20 for a $2 win ticket.

Rose Run Victory and driver Ed Hensley executed their usual game plan to perfection, sweeping by rivals to win the Niagara Series final in 1:54 2/5. The 4-year-old daughter of Shadow Play made a name for herself in the fall months at Mohawk Park and has continued to find success, having now won three in-a-row. The victory completed a sweep of the series.

Trained by Ashleigh Hensley, Rose Run Victory sat sixth throughout before tipping off cover and firing home in 27 2/5 to win by three-quarters of a length. Man Dontforget Me, who was second-over, finished in the runner-up spot, while Filter Hanover settled for third after cutting the mile.

Rose Run Victory is now three-for-seven this season and nine-for-14 since being purchased privately last fall by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, and Phillip Collura. Her latest victory pushes her career numbers to 10 wins and C$166,491 earned. A $2 win ticket on Rose Run Victory returned $2.70.

The Valedictory and Niagara Series were open to 3- and 4-year-olds in 2020, non-winners of C$60,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2020.

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--