Rachel's Valentina, Carina Mia will try to fire fresh in Ashland

Cathryn Sophia will be favored Saturday over Rachel’s Valentina and Carina Mia in an eagerly anticipated renewal of the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland partly because of this: She already has raced twice this year, while both of her chief rivals will be making their first starts following significant layoffs.

Rachel’s Valentina, the winner of the Grade 1 Spinaway for Todd Pletcher, was second to Songbird in the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Carina Mia, who set a track record here last fall in winning a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race, won the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28.

Riley Mott, assistant to his father, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, said fitness should not be a major concern for Carina Mia.

“She has a good bottom” from training this winter at Payson Park in south Florida, said Mott. “Mentally, she’s grown up quite a bit. She’s very relaxed and professional in her training. I think if she runs up to her training, she should have a big shot.”