Farrell may skip Fair Grounds Oaks, train up to Kentucky Oaks

Farrell came out of her win Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes in good shape, but trainer Wayne Catalano is not committing to running back in the Fair Grounds Oaks here April 1.

Farrell got a career-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure for running 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.09. Farrell made a clear early lead and relaxed nicely for jockey Channing Hill down the backtretch, and she had plenty left when fillies chasing her closed in at the quarter pole. Farrell jumped marks on the track left by the starting gate when she crossed them in the final half-furlong, causing her to change over to her wrong lead, but otherwise ran professionally. She also behaved better in the paddock before the race than she had in the lead-up to her win last month in the Silverbulletday Stakes.

Farrell "cooled out beautifully and came back perfect" from the Rachel Alexandra, according to Catalano, who trains the Malibu Moon filly for the Coffeepot Stables of Bob Cummings and Annette Bacola. Nevertheless, Catalano said he will consider merely training Farrell up to the May 5 Kentucky Oaks rather than racing her here April 1. Farrell earned another 50 Oaks qualifying points winning the Rachel Alexandra and her place in the race is secured. If the filly shows she needs to run again at Fair Grounds, she will; if not, she'll come into the Oaks a fresh horse.

"I was taught how to train a horse. I've done this before," Catalano said.

Valadorna, who finished a slightly disappointing third in the Rachel Alexandra as the favorite, is unlikely to race again at Fair Grounds, and probably will start next in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, trainer Mark Casse said shortly after Saturday's race. Valadorna got a 78 Beyer Speed Figure while just losing second to the maiden Majestic Quality after looming up outside Farrell at the top of the stretch.