Valid prevails in Hooper

Runner-up in the 2013 Hooper at Calder, the five-year-old notched his second

graded win with the neck decision and improved his overall record to 23-8-4-4,

$495,697.

"It's unbelievable. I had a great feeling coming into this race," Vitali

said. "We had him a little time off after his last race. Excuse my voice; I'm a

little hoarse. I rode him harder than Paco. I'm just very blessed training for

the Crossed Sabres stables. This is an amazing horse. He just gets bigger and

better by the day. I'm ecstatic."

Valid was making his third start of the current meet following a close second

to Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song) in the December 13 Harlan's Holiday and a

fourth to Lea (First Samurai) in the January 10 Hal's Hope (G3). He earned his

previous graded win in last summer's Monmouth Cup (G2).

Grande Shores was pinned down along the inside throughout and outran his 25-1

odds in a courageous showing, saving the place by a neck over Race Day, who had

a three-race win skein snapped in his stakes debut. It was another 2 1/4-length

gap back to Confrontation (War Pass) in fourth.

Bred in Virginia by Edward P. Evans, Valid is a half-brother to Grade 1 vixen

Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon). He hails from the stakes-winning mare Grand Prayer

(Grand Slam), a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Swagger Jack (Smart Strike) and

Grade 2 scorer Tap Dance (Pleasant Tap). His female family also includes Spanish

champion and German highweight Silverside (Pleasantly Perfect).

Valid sold as a yearling for $500,000 at the Keeneland September sale and was

resold in 2013 for $115,000 at the Saratoga Fall Mixed And HORA Sale.

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