Another stakes win for Husbands

TORONTO, Canada (CMC):

Barbadian jockey Patrick Husbands climaxed another successful season at Woodbine on Sunday when he captured the $150, 000 Valedictory Stakes, to record his 17th added-money triumph of the 2010 season.

The 36-year-old Husbands, who failed in his bid for a fourth straight jockeys' title, guided hot favourite Pool Play to victory by three-quarter lengths, in the day's feature over 1-3/4 miles, which was bumped up to $177, 400 with bonus money.

In the longest stakes race of the Woodbine season, Husbands sat the Mark Casse-trained bay horse just off the lead before making his move on the turn with just over a furlong to run and reaching the wire in a time of three minutes, 01.42 seconds.

"(In) his prep, when (Luis) Contreras rode him, I told Mark to take the blinkers off and he'd be a better horse," said Husbands, in reference to the five-year-old's win in the November 6 preparation race for the Valedictory.

"We had a really nice trip today and when I called on him in the stretch, he gave his all for me. I really respect Mark for giving me the call back on him. I want to thank Mark and all his owners for riding me this year."

Early fractions

Longshot Village Drive posted the early fractions with Yankee Scholar half-length off the pace, leading a main bunch with Pool Play paired with Helicopter as they tracked the leaders.

In the stretch for the first time, Village Drive maintained the lead with Husbands and Pool Play three from the back, but with five furlongs to run Perfect Shower and Eye of the Leopard exploded to the front.

With the pace quickening, Husbands brought Pool Play with a strong run on the outside and as the race turned for home, duelled with Eye of the Leopard before taking command and striding commandingly to the wire.