Valadorna Receives a Racing Break
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Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Valadorna (outside) Oct. 22 at Keeneland
Stonestreet Stables' Valadorna, runner-up in the Nov. 5 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), will bypass the Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 26 and be freshened for her sophomore campaign, according to assistant Norman Casse.
The daughter of Curlin had been under consideration for the 1 1/16-mile Golden Rod after working four furlongs in :47 4/5 at Churchill Nov. 18, but the long-term goal of getting her ready for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) next spring took precedent.
"We're going to sit the Golden Rod out," said Casse, son of head trainer Mark Casse. "Dad and (Stonestreet) just decided to give her a little break and point her for the spring races."
The Casse barn is still set to be represented in the Golden Rod by John Oxley's Dream Dancing, who finished fifth after a troubled trip in the Darley Alciabides Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 7 and will wear blinkers for the first time this weekend.
Fellow Oxley-owned Classic Empire, who likely clinched divisional honors with his triumph in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), is also doing well, according to Casse, and is set to ship to Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida this week along with reigning champion turf female Tepin, to gear up for the 2017 season.