Virginia-breds had a huge day at Gulfstream on Saturday, headlined by the 5-year-old Valid, who added his second graded stakes score in the Grade III Fred Hooper. A $500,000 Keeneland yearling from the next to last crop of Ned Evan’s homebreds, Valid was purchased by Carolyn Vogel’s Crossed Sabres Farm for $115,000 at the October Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall sale. Valid continues to pay dividends for Vogel with his win Saturday. Since his purchase Valid has won the Grade II Monmouth Cup Stakes and placed in three other graded stakes, including last year’s Fred Hooper Handicap, the Salvator Mile stakes and the Philip H. Iselin stakes (all Grade 3 events). In October, he won the Eight Mile West Stakes over a mile.
The son of Medaglia d’Oro is out of the Grand Slam mare Grand Prayer.
Ned Evans-bred Valid (Medaglia door) winning the Grade III Fred Hooper Stakes on February 7. Photo courtesy Adam Coglianese.
Ned Evans-bred Valid (Medaglia door) winning the Grade III Fred Hooper Stakes on February 7. Photo courtesy Adam Coglianese.
Bill Backer lodged a two-fer as a breeder, beginning when 3-year-old Rare Art won his debut by 1 1/2 lengths for current connections Lane’s End Racing. The gray son of Speightstown was a $325,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase in 2013 and justified that price tag in this 6-furlong airing. Trained by Chad Brown, Rare Art is out of the Out of Place mare Art Show. Art Show, a
homebred stakes winner for William Backer, last year produced a filly by Harlan’s Holiday and was bred back to Bodemeister, according to the TDN.
Bill Backer Rare Art won first out in a MSW at Gulfstream on Feb. 7.
Mr. Backer’s homebred Moon River, already a stakes winner, ran a solid second in his third start in the Texas Glitter Stakes. The 3-year-old was bumped at the start of the 5-furlong turf contest, but still managed to make a solid bid at the eighth pole to place behind the chalk Souper Colossal. Trained by Jonathan Sheppard, Moon River was third in an allowance in his second airing at Penn National in October, following his debut win in the Jamestown Stakes at Laurel.
The Bill Backer-bred Jamestown S. winner Moon River ran a good second in the Texas Glitter Stakes in her third start. Photo courtesy Adam Coglianese.