Conglomerate, the most overlooked of trainer Mark Casse's three entries in the CA$150,000 Valedictory Stakes (G3) finished on top in Woodbine's final graded stakes of the season Dec. 3.
Dismissed at 15-1 behind stablemates Win for the Money (the favorite at 5-2) and grade 3 winner Palazzi, Conglomerate cruised in mid-pack for most of the journey in a ground-saving trip along the rail under jockey Luis Contreras.
Win for the Money, unchallenged through early fractions of :24.98, :49.71, and 1:15.61, maintained his advantage into the stretch while Conglomerate had just found running room he so desperately needed at the quarter-pole. Angled three wide into the clear, the gelding collared his stablemate in the final eighth and kicked clear to the wire.
Collective Force charged past Win for the Money late to get runner-up honors.
Casse-trained runners finished first, third, and fourth (Palazzi).
Collecting his first stakes victory, Conglomerate ($32.90) raced the 1 1/2 miles in a final time of 2:31.49 on the Tapeta main track. It was the second straight win for the 6-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid, who was exiting a 1 3/4-length allowance optional claiming score at Woodbine Oct. 29.
The Gary Barber-owned runner boosted his earnings to $352,175.
Bred by Liberty Road Stables in Kentucky, Conglomerate is one of four winners produced from the stakes-winning Lion Hearted mare Maddy's Heart.
