Rachel Alexandra’s Daughter, Rachel’s Valentina, Strikes in Spinaway

Rachel's Alexandra powered to a victory in the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. (Photo by NYRA)
The old Thoroughbred breeding adage “breed the best to the best and hope for the best” doesn’t always work out, but Rachel’s Valentina certainly made a compelling case for its merit on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
A Stonestreet Stables homebred filly by 2006 champion Bernardini out of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, Rachel’s Valentina improved to 2-for-2 with a victory in the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
Rachel’s Valentina made her career debut on Aug. 2 at Saratoga and closed from off the pace to win by two lengths. Trainer Todd Pletcher then opted to test the bay filly in the Spinaway and she was up to the task.
Rachel’s Valentina stalked the pace from third early under John Velazquez and reeled in Constellation in the stretch to take command. She faced a late challenge from highly regarded Tap to It, but held off that rival by a length for her second win in as many starts.
“I thought she ran fantastic. Actually, she put herself into the race a little more than I thought she would, but she seemed to be handling tracking those horses well, and getting a little dirt well,” Pletcher said. “I felt like turning for home, knowing her style and watching her train, that she was going to keep coming. I’ve always felt like the farther she goes, the better she gets. And I think that’s proven to be true.”
2015 SPINAWAY

Courtesy of Breeders' Cup
Rachel’s Valentina completed seven furlongs in 1:23.10 and punched her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies — via the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series — with the Spinaway victory.
Velazquez said he noticed more maturity from Rachel’s Valentina in her second start.
“Today, she knew what it was all about. She was on the bridle, and she knew what she was supposed to do,” Velazquez said. “I didn't have to do anything down the lane, just keep her mind on running, and she got it done.”
Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness Stakes against males and the Woodward Stakes against older males as a 3-year-old in 2009, a season in which she was unbeaten in eight starts and won Eclipse Awards as champion 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year for owners Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick. Rachel’s Valentina's Spinaway win came on the undercard of the 2015 Woodward Stakes, which was won by Liam's Map.
Rachel’s Valentina's sire, Bernardini, also won the Preakness and was named 2006 champion 3-year-old male that season.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
BARBARA BANKE OF STONESTREET STABLES LEADS RACHEL'S VALENTINA TO THE WINNER'S CIRCLE

Photo by Susie Raisher/NYRA