Get Smokin Seeks to Rebound on Tapeta in Valedictory

veteran Get smokin’ a 7 year old gelding from Get stormy looks to return to his winning form on December 7 when he takes on 10 opponents in the CA$135,000 Valedictory Stakes (G3), covering 1 1/2 miles on Tapeta honeysuckle.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, a six-time Valedictory winner, sends the multi-award-winning turf horse, who has over $2 million in career earnings and was a disappointing last of five horses at the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on September 28 ( G1T). Aqueduct race track. The gelding competes in races for owners Ironhorse Racing Stable, BlackRidge Stables, Saratoga Seven Racing Partners and TNT Equine Holdings.

Sihan Civaci has the edge on Saturday over 3-1 morning favorite Get Smokin, who has only started once on synthetic surfaces and finished a close fourth in his season debut in the Eclipse Stakes (G2) on June 1 at Woodbine.

Stanley House a 4 year old son of Army mule has narrowly failed in his last two attempts at graded stakes glory at Woodbine. Mike De Paulo’s apprentice recently finished third in the Autumn Stakes (G2) on November 16, riding 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta for owners John and Diana Russell. He’s 5-1 this morning.

“He did what he always does and made a big run,” De Paulo said. “Unfortunately he was blocked by the railing and when he finally got free he couldn’t catch the leaders. He had a lot of bad luck throughout his career. You always have to put in the effort and you always know that he’s going to finish with that energetic finish. That’s why it would be nice if he got his first win. He deserves it.

Collective violence last year’s Valedictory Stakes runner-up, enters Saturday’s race with a five-length victory in an Oct. 6 Allowance Optional Claimer on Tapeta for trainer Rachel Halden. He is a 15-1 outsider for Chiefswood Stables.

“Somehow everything came together at the right time,” Halden said. “We felt good before the race and he did what we thought he was capable of.”

“He’ll come around in the fall. He completed his best races in late autumn and we hope for the same performance this time.”

Halden and Chiefswood Stables are also starting Roscar a 3 year old son of Oscar performance . He recently finished a close third in an optional race at Woodbine on Nov. 17.

He won the CA$500,000 Breeders’ Stakes, the third jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, on turf at Woodbine on Sept. 29 and hopes to return to that form on Saturday.

“Obviously he had a bit of a mixed year and we didn’t manage to find a smooth rhythm with him,” Halden said after the Breeders’ standings.

The wide open field also includes Stone Age a multiple licensed son of Galileo and the Repole and St. Elias stables are owned Loose cable a light-bred son of Street sense He takes an optional victory at Woodbine on October 27th. Kevin Attard trains the $925,000 yearling purchase.