Mark Valeski made Larry Jones look good in the Peter Pan Stakes
Trainer Larry Jones was spot on with a decision of bypassing the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby on 5 May, with Mark Valeski, who looked a little off in his last work ahead of the Kentucky Derby.
Mark Valeski, the 3-year-old Proud Citizen colt justified his trainer’s decision by winning the Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on 12 May, 2012, by defeating Right to Vote in the stretch.
The Kentucky Oaks winning combination of Brereton C. Jones, trainer Larry Jones and jockey Rosie Napravnik did it again at Belmont Park this time. Going into the Peter Pan Stakes, Mark Valeski posted a solid work at Belmont on 7 May, 2012, indicated the colt is ready.
Rosie Napravnik held back Mark Valeski in the opening stages of the race, and went into stalking mode, as Right to Vote wasted no time in assuming the lead after the break.
The 47 to 1 longshot pace setter, Right to Vote carved brisk fractions, and downed the opening quarter mile in 22.71 seconds, half mile in 45.35 seconds six furlongs in 1 minute and 9.52 seconds after breaking from the inside post.
Even after maintaining a brisk pace in the 1 1/8 mile contest, Right to Vote had enough in him to lead rounding off the bend entering the stretch, as The Lumber Guy pressed the pace in second and Mark Valeski along with Le Bernardin and Big Screen followed them up.
Mark Valeski went four wide and eventually caught the pace setter at the eighth pole, and that is when he drew clear for the winner, beating Right to Vote by 1 ¼ lengths.
“The horse felt great and did everything right," Napravnik said. "I was a little worried about all the ground we were losing, but at the same time with the fast pace I didn’t want to tuck in and get stuck behind, because I knew I was on the best horse. When I pressed the button, even with all the ground we lost, he was much the best and ran great today. It should set him up very nicely for his next race.”
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