Ashland contender Valadorna works five furlongs Saturday morning

Stonestreet Stables’ Valadorna, one of the leading contenders for next Saturday’s $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), worked five furlongs in company in 1:00.80 over a fast main track Saturday morning at Keeneland.

With exercise rider Jerome Lermyte aboard, Valadorna started about a length in back of Malibu Bonnie, a 3-year-old maiden, drew even on the turn and finished a head in front at the wire before galloping out far ahead of her workmate.

“It was a typical work for her,” said David Carroll, assistant to trainer Mark Casse. “We are very happy with it. She is very workmanlike, not flashy.”

Valadorna, who broke her maiden here last fall and then finished second in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita, spent the winter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans with Carroll.

“She is physically stronger and has filled out,” Carroll said. “She has always been laid back and that is why she is never flashy in the morning.”

Third in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) on Feb. 25 in her most recent start, Valadorna will be partnered in the Central Bank Ashland by regular rider Julien Leparoux.

“Maybe she didn’t get as much out of her first race back,” Carroll said of the 2017 debut prior to the Rachel Alexandra. “But everything is geared to the first Friday in May (for the Kentucky Oaks-G1) and she is going to have to step forward.”

Limousine Liberal, the Keeneland track record holder for 6½ furlongs, drilled 5 furlongs in :58.40 after the break Saturday morning in preparation for a probable start in next Saturday’s $250,000 Commonwealth (G3) at 7 furlongs.

Owned by Katherine Ball and trained by Ben Colebrook, Limousine Liberal posted fractions of :22.80, :34 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.20.

Limousine Liberal has not raced since being placed fourth in the TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita in November.

$150,000 TRANSYLVANIA (G3) PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT (Entries close Monday; Race Friday April 7) – Big Score, Bird Is the Word, Bird’s Eye View, Cowboy Culture, Horse Fly, Oscar Performance, Profiteer, Sonic Boom, Ticonderoga.

$1,000,000 TOYOTA BLUE GRASS (G2) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Irap, It’s Your Nickel, J Boys Echo, McCraken, Practical Joke, Tapwrit, Wild Shot.

$500,000 CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND (G1) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Daddys Lil Darling, Elate, Pretty City Dancer, Valadorna. Possible: Princess Karen, Tapa Tapa Tapa.

$300,000 MADISON (G1) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Clothes Fall Off, Constellation, High Ridge Road, Mines and Magic, Paid Up Subscriber, Paulassilverlining, Wheatfield. Possible: Kathballu.

$250,000 COMMONWEALTH (G3) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – A. P. Indian, Awesome Slew, Cautious Giant, Fish Trappe Road, Limousine Liberal, Redesdale, Riding in the Wind, Seeking the Soul, Tale of S’avall, Yockey’s Warrior.

$200,000 SHAKERTOWN (G2) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Blue Wings, Green Mask, Hogy, Holding Gold, Mongolian Saturday, Rainbow Heir.

$150,000 ADENA SPRINGS BEAUMONT (G3) (Entries close Thursday; Race Sunday, April 9) – Dancing Rags, Laney, Ms Locust Point, My Miss Chiff, Promises Broken, Sweet Loretta, Tapped. Possible: Sounds Delicious.

A segment on Man o’ War, whose 100th birthday was Wednesday, is included in the new episode of “Keeneland Magazine on TV,” a 30-minute program that chronicles stories about Central Kentucky from the print edition of the award-winning Keeneland magazine. Catch the latest edition of “Keeneland Magazine on TV” on Sunday, April 2, at noon ET on WKYT.

This spring’s stories feature:

·        “Big Red Star.” After returning to his Kentucky birthplace, Horse of the Century Man o’ War drew admirers from around the world.

·       “Nostalgic Appeal.” With its many small and family-owned businesses, mid-century architecture and welcoming vibe, the Southland Drive neighborhood is a Lexington original.

·       “Putting Down Steaks.” Tony’s of Lexington has fast become the place for big steaks and buzzy atmosphere.

·       “Making a Difference: A Literate Lexington.” Carnegie Center celebrates 25 years of promoting literacy and learning.

 

The program will be re-broadcast on Thursday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on The CW Lexington.