Rachel’s Valentina retired; Stradivari stable at Rood and Riddle

Edited Press Release

Stonestreet Stable's homebred Grade 1 winner Rachel's Valentina has been retired, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed Sunday morning.

The lone daughter of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, Rachel's Valentina won her two-year-old debut by two lengths at Saratoga Race Course before posting a one-length victory in the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at the Spa.

The Bernardini filly closed out her season with a runner-up finish to undefeated champion Songbird in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Keeneland.

As a three-year-old, Rachel's Valentina finished a close second in the Ashland Stakes (G1) in April back at Keeneland before running sixth in the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs and fifth in the July 2 Mother Goose Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

Rachel's Valentina retires with two wins and two seconds from six lifetime starts and earnings of $738,800.

In other news from Pletcher’s shedrow, Stradivari remains stable at Rood and Riddle after suffering a lateral condylar fracture of his right front ankle while working in company with Destin on Friday.

Pletcher reported that the Medaglia d'Oro colt is slated for surgery on Tuesday, provided "everything goes well over the next 48 hours."

Stradivari finished fourth while making his stakes debut in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 21 and was fifth in the Belmont Stakes (G1) in his final start.

Rachel’s Valentina photo courtesy of NYRA/Susie Raisher/Adam Coglianese Photography