Rachel's Valentina Nearing Debut for Pletcher
In his bid for a sixth consecutive training title at Saratoga and 12th overall, Todd Pletcher was shut out on Opening Day at the Spa, but sent out a trio of formidable workers on Saturday morning.
Working in company, Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Materiality and Grade 2 Peter Pan winner Madefromlucky went four furlongs on the Saratoga main track. According to Pletcher, Materiality is targeting the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy on August 1 at the Spa, while Madefromlucky is likely to race on the same day in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby.
"The 50 yards of it that I could see they looked good," Pletcher said wryly of the team drill, which was obscured by a dense fog.
Also on the worktab for Pletcher was Liam's Map, who returned from a seven-month hiatus to take an optional claimer by 1 ¾ lengths on June 19 at Belmont Park. The son of Unbridled's Song has won his past four races, including the Harlan's Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and has only one blemish on his record, a second-place finish in his debut last summer at Saratoga.
"Same thing, he looked very good in the little part we could see," Pletcher said of Liam's Map, who is out of six-time stakes winner Miss Macy Sue. "He seems like he continues to train well and is pointing to the Whitney. He's a very gifted horse, very talented. He's always trained well and he's always run well."
Pletcher may also unveil an unraced part of racing royalty during the meet. Rachel's Valentina, a 2-year-old daughter of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra by champion Bernardini, has been working steadily at Saratoga in preparation for her debut, though no timetable is set for her, according to Pletcher.
"She's doing well. With all the babies it's week to week, hopefully another work or two or three, or whatever it takes to get her ready," he said.
On July 11, Rachel's Valentina logged a bullet work over the Saratoga main track, breezing four furlongs in 47.04, best of 82 at the distance.
Source: NYRA Communications