Valid strong in G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes

Medaglia d'Oro's hot streak only continued February 7 as the sire's five-year-old son Valid captured the G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes at Gulfstream Park. A winner of the G2 Monmouth Cup Stakes in 2014, it was the second Graded Stakes victory for Valid.

In the one-mile race, Valid was always in contention, dueling for the lead throughout. Rounding the far turn the son of Medaglia d'Oro gained momentum, and fought hard down the stretch to come away a winner.

Bred by Edward P. Evans, Valid was a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling. He is a half-brother to G1 winner Malibu Prayer and is out of Stakes winner Grand Prayer.

Medaglia d'Oro has certainly started 2015 out with a bang as the sire of eight Stakes winners, among them five Graded Stakes winners. Among them are G2 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes winner Mshawish, G3 Tampa Bay Stakes winner Lochte, and Australian Group winners Java and Slipper Bound. The sire's top runners lifetime include Horse Of The Year Rachel Alexandra, G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty, and G1-winning turf specialist Marketing Mix.

Medaglia d'Oro's stud fee for the 2015 breeding season is $125,000 live foal, stands and nurses.