by Greg Gangle and Ashley Mayotte, WEG communications

Toronto, ON — Curator has fashioned a solid image for himself, which makes him a top contender in the C$60,000 Valedictory Stakes final on Monday’s (Dec. 26) afternoon Boxing Day card at Woodbine.

New Image Media photo

Curator has won seven times in nine lifetime starts.

The gelded son of American Ideal-Gallery Hop, who was unraced as a 2-year-old, has banked $61,000 and has never missed the board in his sophomore campaign. The pacer has put together a record of 7-1-1 from nine starts for trainer/owner Jack Darling and will once again have up-and-coming driver Billy Davis, Jr. in the sulky.

Davis is thrilled about being in the final, but admits he is a little nervous as well. He is hoping his charge will be back to his normal self after failing to find the winner’s circle in his elimination.

“He was pretty disappointing last week,” said the 25-year-old about Curator’s third-place finish. “Usually he is strong right to the wire and halfway down the lane he kind of got on the right line a bit and really gave up. That’s the first time he has ever done that.

“I am kind of excited to see how he is going to be this week and I am a little nervous if he is going to be back to his ‘A’ form again,”
Davis explained.

High speed and quick acceleration are characteristics that many drivers and trainers hope for in a horse. Curator has both, but the B.C. native admits that they are his best and worst qualities.

“As soon as you ask him he gives it all, but that’s one of his downsides, too,” he said. “As soon as you get him going you can’t shut him down, so if you try to leave too much with him he just keeps on going.”

The Cambridge resident will be looking to keep the gelding off the front end while trying to work out a tidy trip from post position six.

The reinsman has proven he knows what he is doing when he is handed the lines. He has had a banner year with more than $2.6 million in purse earnings and 377 victories, including 17 wins, 21 seconds and 29 third-place finishes in 213 starts on the WEG circuit. He hopes his success continues, but confesses he never expected it would happen so soon.

“It’s been very exciting,” said Davis, searching how to best describe his fifth year of driving. “It’s just all surreal. It’s unbelievable. It’s almost like a dream. I moved out here from B.C. and I wanted to be a catch driver. I never really thought it would be going as well as it has been, so far.”

The holiday card will also feature the C$60,000 Niagara Stakes final for sophomore pacing fillies and will have a special race announcer for the matinee card as Dawn Lupul will take over the announcer’s booth at the Rexdale oval for the first time. First race post time is set for 1:20 p.m.

The fields will line up as follows:

Valedictory Stakes Final: 1. Weigh The Odds, 2. Itrustyou, 3. Audreys Dream, 4. Lyons Johnny, 5. Thebestofjoel, 6. Curator, 7. Lonesome Attack, 8. Drive Em Cowboy, 9. Pansai Yamamoto, 10. Dont Say Goodby.

Niagara Stakes Final: 1. Seascape Hanover, 2. Ms Graywalls, 3. Markella, 4. Windsun Soho, 5. Tu Sei Bella, 6. Carly Hollywood, 7. D Gs Tinkerbell, 8. Charolettes Maggie, 9. Cards That Count, 10. Twin B Miracle.