Attard Sends Three Horses to Valedictory Stakes
Elle
Dec 5th 2025
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Kevin Attard will be quite prominent in the Valedictory Stakes, a Grade 3 event at Woodbine, on Saturday, as he will be running Jokestar, Hammerhead and Zabo in a nine-horse field for the 1 1/2-mile main-track race for older runners. The extended-distance feature, usually the last one of the final graded contests of the season at the Toronto oval, has attracted a combination of veteran stayers and up-and-coming long-route prospects. For Kevin Attard, the race presents an opportunity to close the year with a significant result while testing the depth of his stable’s late-season stayers.
Kevin Attard has not been in a race since October 25 when he finished second in a 1 3/8 mile inner synthetic turf race. The run revealed that he is a powerful stayer, and although the switch to the main track means a new condition, his frequent long trips make him the most probable one to take the down. Kevin Attard has often pointed toward Hammerhead’s willingness to stay engaged through long stretches, a trait that matters in the Valedictory, which traditionally rewards horses with steady late stamina and the ability to maintain focus through the extended run.
Jokestar, another member of Attard’s group, brings a contrasting profile. The gelding has built a reputation as a grinder who handles Woodbine’s course with regularity. His recent form includes efforts that reveal a reliable late pace, though he has yet to notch a major breakthrough in graded company. Saturday’s race gives him a chance to test his limits against more experienced distance runners. While Jokestar may not hold the flashiest résumé in the field, his comfort with Woodbine’s surface and his manageable running style make him a reliable piece of the stable’s multi-horse strategy.
Zabo completes the three. However, he is not to the same level as his brothers in the stable but he is showing some signs of growth and will therefore, be able to make a step in the Valedictory. His growth curve throughout the season has been consistent, he has become more and more tactically aware and he has learned to settle early before doing his moves quite slowly around the far turn. Those attributes, for a race as long as the Valedictory, can certainly help a horse to keep up with the leaders while still saving some energy for the all-important last quarter-mile.
The Valedictory itself presents a unique annual challenge. Few races in North America stretch to 1 1/2 miles on a synthetic track, which often makes the field a collection of synthetic turf horses, proven marathon runners, and developing long-route specialists seeking an end-of-year opportunity. This year’s lineup follows that same pattern.
For Kevin Attard, sending three runners offers both tactical flexibility and broader chances for a top finish. Each of the trio brings a distinct style: Hammerhead with his steady long-range power, Jokestar with a patient grind, and Zabo with a developing profile that suggests untapped potential. Their combined presence helps shape the complexion of the race, particularly if one of the stable’s runners participates in the early tempo while the others track behind.
Hammerhead’s breeding suggests the distance should be well within reach. War Front progeny often show adaptability across surfaces, while Medaglia d’Oro mares frequently pass on enough endurance to support marathon trips. His second-place finish on artificial turf in his last outing is a clear indication that he has the stamina required for long races, however, he will have to get used to the synthetic surface again on Saturday. His works in the beginning of the season on the dirt track show that he is able to handle the surface, hence, he is a legitimate danger to win the race if he gets going with a good pace early.
Jokestar’s experience at Woodbine may prove useful should race conditions shift. Whether the early pace quickens or remains measured, his ability to maintain progress without dramatic surges is one of his more dependable attributes. Zabo, still refining his craft, could benefit from these circumstances as well, especially if the leaders tire late and he finds room to extend his stride.
As the final graded main-track event of the Woodbine season approaches, Kevin Attard’s three runners add depth to a field rich with long-distance talent. Saturday’s Valedictory Stakes promises a demanding test for all nine entrants, and for Kevin Attard, the day offers a chance to close the campaign with strength through his multi-horse entry.
