Juvenile Fillies: Rachel’s Valentina sparkles in workout

Trainer Todd Pletcher intended to keep Rachel’s Valentina to her normal routine by working the Grade 1-winning 2-year-old filly in company – and, on paper, he did just that. But the regally bred Rachel’s Valentina, among the favorites for next week’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, turned the move into a solo exhibition.

Working shortly after the morning renovation break at Breeders’ Cup host track Keeneland, Rachel’s Valentina dusted maiden workmate Ransack, cruising to the wire several lengths in front as Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch caught her five furlongs in 1:01.27, galloping out in 1:14.31 under her own power.

In past weeks, Rachel’s Valentina has worked with older runners such as Grade 1 winner Stopchargingmaria. But with many of Pletcher’s charges on individual schedules for stakes engagements, he was left searching for a suitable workmate for a final easy move for Rachel’s Valentina.

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“She basically toyed with her workmate, who basically couldn’t keep up at any point, so it was almost like a solo work for her, really,” Pletcher said. “I was actually concerned that I didn’t have the right horse to work with her today, and I didn’t want to match her up with someone that was going to go too fast. I was hoping that Ransack would step up a little bit and at least provide her some entertainment for a little while, but she’s just too much for him.”

Rachel’s Valentina is the second of two foals produced by the enormously popular Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Rachel’s Valentina who races for breeder Stonestreet Farm, is unbeaten in two starts, including the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga.

“Any time that you have a filly with the pedigree like that, and you’re able to win a Grade 1 race, and a very prestigious Grade 1 race like the Spinaway, it’s a fantastic achievement for her and her dam and the entire family,” Pletcher said. “It’s very satisfying. ... Aside from that, she’s just a lovely filly to be around, she’s got a great personality, and she’s really a very cool horse to train.”