Mark Valeski out of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on 5 May
Larry Jones trained Grade 1, $2million Kentucky Derby bound, Mark Valeski, isn’t Derby bound anymore as the 3-year-old Proud Citizen colt has been agreed to be taken out of the race on 2 May, 2012.
Larry Jones is of the view that the runner-up in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, Mark Valeski doesn’t belong in the race, and the trainer has been saying that before as well, but came to a decision today and announced that he might be looking for
other stakes races for the Kentucky bred, but he still might feature a race of the Triple Crown as it goes on.
Owned and bred by Brereton C. Jones, Mark Valeski did well on his Derby trail, and turned in two back to back second place finishes in the two Derby prep races.
Kicked off the 2012 season with a win in an allowance/optional claimer at about six furlongs at Fair Grounds Race Course on 13 January, 2012, where he defeated, Radiant Talent in second and Adena’s Chance in third, while he covered the six furlong distance
in 1 minute and 10.18 seconds.
It wasn’t till his first prep race, when he experienced a class that will squeeze out serious Derby contenders, and that race was the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes.
On 25 February, 2012, Mark Valeski at Fair Grounds Race Course finished a close second to winner, El Padrino, who won and topped the 1 1/16 mile test in 1 minute and 42.96 seconds, as Z Dager finished a few lengths adrift of Mark Valeski in third.
Out of mare Pocho’s Dream Girl by Fortunate Prospect, Mark Valeski’s final prep race for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby also at Fair Grounds Race Course where he finished second yet again, but this time to a 109 to
1 long shot, Hero of Order.
“We really were looking for a ‘wow’ work and we don’t think Mark gave us that feeling that Believe You Can did,” Larry Jones said of the filly he has entered in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). “When you go in, you’ve got to be ready to tackle the bears. This
is the Derby."
Larry Jones hinted that Mark Valeski might start in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes on 12 May, and the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on 9 June.
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