Valiant Victor valiantly fended off graded stakes competitor Coal Battle to secure victory in the $300,000 Grade 3 Indiana Derby on July 5 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in a swift time of 1:41.15, setting a new track record on the fast main track. The victor reached the finish line a mere half-length ahead of his rival, rewarding $2 win ticket holders with $7.40.
Valiant Victor is compensating for missed opportunities. Sidelined until the current spring season after a second-place result in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes of the previous fall, this triumph elevates Valiant Victor’s record to two wins out of three starts as a 3-year-old.
Valiant Victor emerged victorious despite contesting the early lead with the outsider Master Controller, who set opening fractions of :23.43 and :46.01. After shaking off this challenge in the latter part of the backstretch, he faced competition from Coal Battle and the heavily favored Big Truzz as they entered the second turn in 1:09.33 after six furlongs. However, neither managed to overtake him in the final stretch.
“He showcased impressive determination. I admire it when horses exhibit such resilience,” stated jockey John Velazquez, who achieved three stakes victories on Saturday’s card at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “They exert themselves, rivals close in, and when you urge them for more, they respond with even greater effort.”
Brotha Keny, the longest shot in the race at odds of 59-1, displayed a late surge to claim third place, a half-length ahead of Publisher, who had previously finished second in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher oversees Valiant Victor’s conditioning for owners Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister. The Indiana Derby champion, who previously bested eventual Kentucky Derby victor Sovereignty when both horses debuted in a maiden race at Saratoga Race Course last summer, now holds a record of 3-1-0 in five starts, with total earnings of $385,500.
Pletcher described the Indiana Derby victory as “a significant accomplishment” and indicated that he intends to direct Valiant Victor toward “another race of a similar nature to today’s event.”
Vintage Vale clinched the $200,000 Grade 3 Daily Racing Form Indiana Oaks in the race preceding the Indiana Derby. The Quality Road offspring now boasts a record of three wins in four starts, with her sole defeat being a sixth-place result in her debut race in March.
Vintage Vale passed her inaugural stakes challenge in the Indiana Oaks with distinction. The Brendan Walsh-trained filly prevailed by four lengths over runner-up Top, who is based locally, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.42 under jockey Edgar Morales. Sturgeon Moon secured the third position.
