Woodbine: How to bet the 2022 Valedictory Stakes

A full field of 12 will go 1 1/2 miles on the all-weather at Woodbine in Sunday’s C$150,000 Valedictory S. (G3). The main-track marathon is a wide-open event with multiple contenders that are worth an investment, so finding value seems imperative to me.

Barbara Minshall’s #6 British Royalty (8-1) has a good measure of class to him and loves to run long. The four-year-old, who was a Canadian classic winner on the lawn last campaign, has put in some very good performances against top foes on the green in 2022, posting strong runner-up finishes in both the Belmont Gold Cup (G2) and Singspiel S. (G3).

British Royalty owns a win on the course from four tries at Woodbine, and the son of English Channel has been training well here, as well, led by a bullet morning breeze in his latest work assignment. The gelded bay will stalk the pace early on with Justin Stein picking up the mount.

The Saffie Joseph-trained #3 Novo Sol (7-2) has never run a bad race on the synthetic and comes in with a pair of smart third-place stakes finishes of late. Brazilian import has run some of the best races of his career at 1 1/2 miles, and his prep for Sunday was an ideal stepping stone to run big in his second local appearance. Patrick Husbands riding adds to the appeal.

#5 Elusive Knight (10-1) has won three of his last four for conditioner Michael Doyle. The peaking son of Ghostzapper has been first or second in seven of nine occasions on the surface, and the gelding will be rallying from off the pace at a square price under Gary Boulanger.

Mark Casse’s #12 Who’s The Star (5-2) owns two graded stakes tallies from as many efforts at Woodbine and is the deserving favorite in the field. Tonalist four-year-old has obviously never been better, but it’s hard for me to put him on top at short odds from the widest post at the distance. Emma-Jayne Wilson retains the ride.

Valedictory Wagers

• $25 win #6 British Royalty ($25)
• 20-cent superfecta 3,6 with 3,5,6,12 with 3,5,6,12 with all ($21.60)