Trainer Larry Jones has confirmed that Mark Valeski (c, 3, Proud Citizen) will bypass the GI Kentucky Derby and instead target the GII Peter Pan S. at Belmont May 12. If the Brereton Jones homebred does well there, he could go on to the third leg of the Triple Crown, the GI Belmont S. June 9. Larry Jones said earlier in the week that Mark Valeski, the GII Louisiana Derby and GII Risen Star runner-up, would have to be ultra impressive in his work at Churchill Monday, when he went five furlongs in 1:00 1/5. Connections felt the work was good, but not quite good enough to warrant tackling the deep Derby field. Mark Valeski's defection means that Bluegrass Hall homebred Optimizer (English Channel), previously 21st on the Derby graded earnings list, will draw into the race.
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