Graydar Proves Real Deal in Tough New Orleans

The 4-year-old son of Unbridled's Song proved doubters wrong March 30 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots when he held off Mark Valeski for a determined 1 3/4-length New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) score.

Graydar, 'Courage' Rematch in NOLA 'Cap

A power-packed field will assemble for the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) March 30 at Fair Grounds. In the lineup are Graydar, Bourbon Courage, Flat Out, and Mark Valeski.

Mark Valeski Overcomes Trouble in Mineshaft

Brereton Jones' homebred Mark Valeski overcame traffic troubles and ran down a cavalcade of horses in the stretch of the $148,500 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23.

Mark Valeski Ready for Mineshaft Rematch

After a hard-fought finish in the Louisiana Handicap, Mark Valeski and Infrattini will face off once again in the $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) Feb. 23 at Fair Grounds.

Believe You Can Targets New Orleans Ladies

Believe You Can is likely to make her next appearance in the March 9 New Orleans Ladies Stakes while stablemate Mark Valeski will aim for the Mineshaft Handicap, and other Larry Jones contenders are on the move.

Infrattini Continues Streak in Louisiana 'Cap

Z Thoroughbreds' homebred Infrattini earned his fourth straight victory, accomplished over four different tracks, by outfinishing odds-on choice Mark Valeski in the $100,000 Louisiana Handicap Jan. 19 at Fair Grounds.

Mark Valeski Sidelined Remainder of Year

Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) winner Mark Valeski will be sidelined the remainder of the year after undergoing surgery for a small chip in his left knee.

Peter Pan Preps Mark Valeski for Future

Connections were rewarded for their patience when Mark Valeski, making only the sixth start of his career, produced a decisive victory in the Peter Pan Stakes.

Report: Mark Valeski Unlikely for Belmont

Brereton Jones' homebred Mark Valeski probably won't compete in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Larry Jones told Daily Racing Form May 21.

Union Rags, Dullahan Lead Belmont Prospects

A strong contingent of horses will attempt to spoil the Triple Crown bid of I'll Have Another when the 3-year-olds assemble at Belmont Park on June 9 for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

After the Wire - 5/13/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the Peter Pan Stakes, Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes and a quick Preakness preview.

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Mark Valeski Rewards Jones in Peter Pan

Following a bullet work May 7, trainer Larry Jones had Mark Valeski ready to go in the Peter Pan. After a stalking trip while wide into the lane he put away pacesetter Right to Vote for his first stakes victory May 12.

THS: Peter Pan Stakes

Jason Shandler and Tom LaMarra handicap the Peter Pan Stakes and quickly review the Kentucky Derby.

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Mark Valeski Arrives at Belmont for Peter Pan

Louisiana Derby (gr. II) runner-up Mark Valeski arrived at Belmont Park from Kentucky May 6 in advance of his scheduled start in the upcoming $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II).

Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/1/2012

The withdrawal of Mark Valeski, which allows Optimizer to run, Rousing Sermon's work, gallops from Alpha, Went the Day Well, Trinniberg, and Prospective, new arrivals, and more. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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Mark Valeski out, Optimizer joins Derby field

Trainer Larry Jones removed Mark Valeski from Kentucky Derby consideration .

Mark Valeski Withdrawn From Derby

Brereton C. Jones' homebred Mark Valeski was declared out of the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the morning of May 1.

Haskin's Derby Trail: Early Observations

The works are done, and all that remains are the final gallops and observing how the horses are thriving during the final week

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Kentucky Derby News Minute 4/30/2012

Lenny Shulman talks about the final Derby work outs for Creative Cause, Liaison, Daddy Nose Best, Sabercat and Mark Valeski. Daddy Long Legs works today across the Ocean and of course the weather forecast!

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Five Derby Horses Breeze at Churchill Downs

It was a warm, humid day at Churchill Downs on Monday, April 30, and the track was fast as a handful of contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands went through their final workouts.

Jones Non-Committal on Mark Valeski for Derby

Trainer Larry Jones did not commit to a potential start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) for Brereton C. Jones' homebred Mark Valeski after the colt breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at Churchill Downs.

Haskin's Derby Trail: Remember Mark Valeski?

The Kentucky Derby trail and short memories go hand in hand. Remember when Mark Valeski was the next up-and-coming star, grabbing everyone's attention with his gutsy nose defeat to El Padrino in the Risen Star?

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Workout Will Determine Mark Valeski's Status

Trainer Larry Jones says a workout by Mark Valeski will determine whether the Proud Citizen colt will be entered in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Mark Valeski Works Sharp 5 Furlongs for Derby

Brereton Jones' Mark Valeski, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), drilled five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Churchill Downs April 23 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

April 22 Kentucky Derby Track Notes

Here's a round-up of activity at Churchill Downs April 22 surrounding the contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).