Mark Valeski on target for a loaded New Orleans Handicap

Brereton Jones’s Mark Valeski, most recently the winner of the Grade III Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Feb. 23, breezed a bullet five furlongs in 58.20 at Fair Grounds in preparation for Saturday’s Grade II New Orleans Handicap, showcase event of the season for older horses on the main track here.

 

Saturday’s $400,000 New Orleans Handicap as part of the gala Louisiana Derby Day program promises to have one of the most exciting renewals in its 88-year history.

 

In addition to Mark Valeski and Tenth Street Stable’s Mineshaft Handicap runner-up Cool Street, the New Orleans Handicap will include Gulfstream’s Grade I Donn Handicap winner Graydar, owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stable, and Bourbon Lane Stable’s Bourbon Courage, runner-up behind Graydar in the Donn but winner of last year’s Grade II Super Derby.

 

Others slated for Saturday’s New Orleans Handicap are Preston Stables’ Flat Out, fourth in the Donn; Jerry Durant’s Macho Macho, winner of last year’s Grade II West Virginia Derby; and Gallant Stable’s Majestic Harbor, clearly best in his most recent start at Fair Grounds in high-level allowance and $62,500 optional claiming company March 1.