Valadorna makes second start of comeback in allowance

When she last raced at Fair Grounds, Valadorna was thought to be a candidate for the 2017 Kentucky Oaks. Valadorna didn’t make that race, and in fact, after a third-place finish Feb. 25 in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes, Valadorna didn’t start again until Nov. 1.

Valadorna is back racing at Fair Grounds, but she’s just one of the candidates to win the featured fourth race Friday, a second-level dirt-route allowance also open to $40,000 claimers. Valadorna is one of just six entrants and is the 6-5 morning-line favorite.

Valadorna finished a troubled second in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies but has since failed to progress much from that form. She ran decently in finishing second in her Nov. 1 comeback, a race at this level at Keeneland, and would not have to improve significantly to notch her third win. Bettors, though, should proceed with caution, and taking a short price on a horse whose ceiling seems limited might not be a great plan.