Alina, only three-quarters of a length in back of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) starter Eight Belles in her last start, is the 5-2 favorite in the $150,000 La Troienne Stakes (gr. III) May 2 at Churchill Downs.
The 7 ½-furlong La Troienne is for 3-year-old fillies on the main track. It is four races prior to the Kentucky Derby. Nine have entered.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Alina led nearly the entire way in the April 6 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn, until Eight Belles ran her down in the final strides. A daughter of Came Home, she is 3-2-0 from seven starts, including an impressive 18 ¾-length romp in the March 1 Green Oaks at Delta Downs, which was run at one mile.
Out of the Sea Hero mare Lady Heroine, Alina was bred in Kentucky by Glencrest Farm. She is owned by the partnership of Savorthetime Stables, and Philip and Brenda Robertson. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride Alina, who turned in a four-furlong work April 28, stopping the clock in :49.80.
The second choice is Menifee filly Game Face, who was second in the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) March 2 at Gulfstream Park, losing to current Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) starter Bsharpsonata by just two lengths. The Todd Pletcher trainee trounced rivals in her start before that, taking the Old Hat (gr. II) by seven lengths Jan. 12.
Owned by Zabeel Racing International, Game Face is 2-2-1 from five starts. She will carry a race-high 120 pounds. John Velazquez gets the call.
Informed Decision and Keep the Peace, both at 4-1, are the co-third choices.