An impressive 4 length winner when last seen breaking his maiden in October for trainer Larry Jones, Proud Citizen’s Mark Valeski drew national attention with his head turning 2012 debut on Friday at the Fair Grounds. Running against a tough group of sophomores boasting more recent form, Mark Valeski demonstrated that he was rust-free with a powerful, going-away victory. The win was good for an eye-popping 6 1/2 Ragozin number, a truly tremendous figure for so early in the year. Highly regarded by trainer Larry Jones, now just days off his filly Havre De Grace’s crowning as Horse of the Year, the Airdrie bred and owned Mark Valeski will be pointed to either the Fair Grounds’ GII Risen Star Stakes or the GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Mark Valeski is just another bright spot in what could be a truly memorable 2012 for Proud Citizen. Also the sire of Trickmeister, one of the nation’s top older horses, Proud Citizen’s 3-year-old crop contained the nation’s 3rd highest number of juveniles last year and are poised for a strong 2012 campaign. In addition, his 2-year-olds of 2012 came from the best book of mares he’s covered to date. All this adds together to equal major upside for Proud Citizen this year!
