Mark Valeski Wins Fair Grounds Feature

Brereton Jones’ Mark Valeski, allowed to settle early, commenced a rally when set down for the drive, took command after the furlong grounds and drew clear late for a one-length tally in Friday’s $49,000 Fair Grounds feature, an allowance $50,000 optional claiming event at six furlongs.

The winner, trained by Larry Jones and ridden by apprentice C. J. McMahon, toured the three-quarter mile distance in 1:10.18, increased his career earnings to $55,800 with his second victory in three lifetime starts and returned mutuels of $7.60, $3 and $2.80.

Runner-up Radiant Talent, owned by Martin Cherry, pressed the pace, gained the advantage at the eighth pole, could not withstand the winner late but was easily second best, paying $2.20 and $2.10 while finishing 6 1/2-lengths to the good of Raut LLC’s Adena’s Chance, who paid $4.20 to show.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’s Seeker made the pace with splits of 22.44 and 46.33 before weakening to fourth.