'Rachel' Hopes to Follow in Mother's Hoofprints

Soon-to-be Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) demolished the only two fillies brave enough to show up by 19 1/4 lengths in the 2009 GI Mother Goose S. and now her daughter Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini) looks to follow in her hoofprints in Saturday's renewal of the Belmont-based race. Unlike her dam who entered this test off an equally impressive tour de force in the GI Kentucky Oaks, the “TDN Rising Star” comes into this off a sixth-place finish as the favorite in that May 6 event. Heroine of last term's GI Spinaway S., the Stonestreet Stables homebred finished second behind undefeated champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and missed by just a neck in her 2016 debut in Keeneland's GI Ashland S. Apr. 9. Both of her previous victories have been around one-turn and Hall of Fame pilot John Velazuez has won this race six times.

Rachel's Valentina's trainer Todd Pletcher also has two other chances to score his fifth win in this test in Off the Tracks (Curlin) and Mo d'Amour (Uncle Mo). Winner of her first three starts, including the GIII Schuylerville S., for trainer Roderick Rodriguez and J stables, she was transferred to Pletcher after Newtown Anner Stud bought in and finished third in her debut for that barn in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks Apr. 2. The bay was a game second last time, splitting “TDN Rising Stars” Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) and Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss) in the GI Acorn S. at Belmont June 11. Pletcher also saddles King of Prussia Stable's stakes-winning Mo d'Amour, who finished fifth in the Oaks and was eighth last time when trying turf in this venue's Wonder Again S. June 5.

The biggest threat to the Pletcher trio is likely to come from the Chad Brown-trained Lewis Bay (Bernardini). Winner of the GII Demoiselle S., the Alpha Delta Stables colorbearer was second to Cathryn Sophia in the GII Davona Dale S. Feb. 27 and returned to winning ways in the GII Gazelle S. Apr. 9 before finishing third to Cathyn Sophia in the Kentucky Oaks.

Also of interest is Up Hill Stable and Head of Plains Partners' undefeated Lightstream (Harlan's Holiday), who stretches out beyond seven furlongs for the first time. Following her Mar. 6 debut win at Gulfstream with a victory in Keeneland's GIII Beaumont S. Apr. 17, the Brian Lynch trainee proved versatile with a score in the grassy Soaring Softly S. May 21.

“She's been a great overachiever. Any kind of hiccup she's had–whether she breaks a bit slow, or gets herself into some trouble–she's been able to overcome everything so far,” Lynch said. “We're looking forward to running her.”