Coco Connect gives Ennis, Morales second stakes in two days
Turfway Park stakes recap by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media photos of Coco Connect and jockey Edgar Morales winning the Validate)
FLORENCE, Ky. (Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026) – BSF Equine Athlete’s 3-year-old filly Coco Connect notched her first career stakes victory when she defeated five rivals by a half-length in Saturday’s 39th running of the $125,000 Valdale Stakes at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by John Ennis and ridden by Edgar Morales, Coco Connect completed 6 ½ furlongs in 1:18.82. It was the second stakes victory in two days for Morales and Ennis, who teamed to win Friday’s $125,000 Wishing Well Stakes with Ms. Tart.
Coco Connect traveled third during the early stages of the Valdale while tracking pacesetter The Town Tempter, who was pressured to her outside by 3-5 favorite Believe in Magic. Following an opening quarter-mile in :23.09, Coco Connect began to move closer to the leaders while making a three-wide move. At the quarter pole, Coco Connect reached the front and began to draw clear in the stretch but had to hold off a late bid by Hollybygolly. In deep stretch, Coco Connect was able to dig down deep to repel the 13-1 longshot’s late charge.
The Town Tempter completed the trifecta. She was followed by Believe in Magic, American Summer and Spastic Bid.
Coco Connect was sent off at 3-1 and rewarded her backers by returning $8.94.
The Valdale Stakes was Coco Connect’s third career win from just five starts, coming on top of a Jan. 8 Turfway allowance victory. She earned $76,380 for her victory, boosting her career earnings to $206,197.
Coco Connect is a daughter of the Lane’s End stallion Connect out of the Commissioner mare Miss Chanel. She was bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm, which sold the filly for $22,000 at Keeneland’s 2024 September Yearling Sale. She was resold for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS March sale in Ocala.
Ennis now is 7 for 32 at the meet, one win behind leader Kelsey Danner. Morales’ 10 wins out of 78 starts rank fourth, with his 14 seconds and 13 thirds both leading the meet.
Live racing at Turfway Park will resume Wednesday with a first post of 5:55 p.m. ET. For the latest on racing and gaming from Turfway Park, visit www.turfway.com.
