MILTON, April 2, 2021 – The Valedictory and Niagara Pacing Series finals headlined Woodbine Mohawk Park’s final card prior to Ontario’s “emergency brake” shutdown on Friday evening. Rescheduled from Boxing Day due to a prior lockdown, the $35,000 finals of the Valedictory and Niagara were worth the wait for Captain Video and Rose Run Victory. A third-quarter slugfest in the Valedictory saw Captain Video turn away 1-5 favourite Beyond Better to win the Valedictory final for driver Sylvain Filion and Richard Moreau. A four-year-old son of Captaintreacherous, Captain Video shot out to the lead in the six-horse field and set opening fractions of :28 and :56. Beyond Better, who was entering on a five-race win streak, got away fourth and made his bid for the lead approaching the half. Captain Video and Beyond Better waged war in the third-quarter, pacing a :27 split. The outside challenger was no match for Captain Video, who kicked-away in the lane to win impressively by 6 ¼ lengths in 1:51.2. Beyond Better held second over Bee Two Bee and Cold Creek Cabo. The Valedictory Series victory gives Captain Video three wins in six starts this season and 11 for his career. The Moreau trainee has posted four wins in seven starts since being purchased last November by 1876472 Ontario Inc., Ecurie CSL and Sam & Michael Sergi. A career-winner of $108,235, Captain Video returned $8.20 for a $2 win ticket. Rose Run Victory and driver Ed Hensley executed their usual game plan to perfection, sweeping by rivals to win the Niagara Series final in 1:54.2. The four-year-old daughter of Shadow Play made a name for herself in the fall months at Mohawk Park and has continued to find success, having now won three in a row. The victory completed a sweep of the series. Trained by Ashleigh Hensley, Rose Run Victory sat sixth throughout before tipping off cover and firing home in :27.2 to win by three-quarters of a length. Man Dontforget Me, who was second-over, finished in the runner-up spot, while Filter Hanover settled for third after cutting the mile. Rose Run Victory is now three for seven this season and nine for 14 since being purchased privately last fall by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura. Her latest victory pushes her career numbers to 10 wins and $166,491 earned. A $2 win ticket on Rose Run Victory returned $2.70. The Valedictory and Niagara Series were open to three and four-year-olds in 2020, non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2020. Live racing is now temporarily suspended at Woodbine Mohawk Park due to the province-wide “emergency brake” shutdown. Woodbine will provide updates regarding the return of live racing when available. Share This:Share
