Ashland – Grade 1 – $600.000
KEE – 1 1/16 Mile – Dirt
For Fillies Three Years Old
April 7, 2023
1 Dolly P (Arindel)
Fifth in her last start in the Davona Dale, this filly has had her ups and downs, starting with win in the Myrtlewood in December, then a twelfth-place finish in the NY Stallion Series – Fifth Avenue. She rebounded from that to finish second in the Las Virgenes before her last start. Through all of that, she has managed to collect 13 KYO points. And if the pattern holds, she should have a good performance in the Ashland. Good enough to win? That remains to be seen, and there are a lot of very talented fillies between her and those 100 points that come with a win.
2 Beautifully Grusome (TwinTowersRacing)
We haven’t seen this filly since February when she finished third in the Honeybee after trying the boys in the Southwest with little success. She hasn’t won since October when she took the Rags to Riches at CD. She has 21 points right now and could really use a first or second place finish here if she has any hope of making it in the gate the first Friday in May.
3 Groovy (Calia Stable)
Second by a nose in the Davona Dale last out, this filly is sitting on 20 points. She does her best running up front, and if she can get the lead, she might not give it up until the wire this time. This is the farthest she’s ever run, but I doubt the extra sixteenth of a mile will be an issue.
4 Chrystal Cave (Maletto)
Three straight wins in state-bred stakes company as a two-year-old helped put her in the gate for the BC Juv Fillies, but she could do no better than eighth that day. Followed that up with a third again in state-bred stakes company. Her most impressive performance so far came in the PARX Futurity where she won in a dead heat. Yet to win at three, but she did finish third in the Forward Gal. Another one who desperately needs a win here to advance to the KY Oaks.
5 Baronica (Royalty Stables)
No points yet for this filly. She comes in off a third in the Gasparilla and a second in allowance company at SA last out. Took her four tries to break her maiden, so she got a late start on the KY Oaks trail. But she has only finished off the board once in seven tries. With a top effort, she could pick up some points here.
6 Empire Sunset (Fractious)
Started her three-year-old campaign with a nice second place performance in the muddy Silverbulletday. And when the Santa Ysabel came up muddy a month later, she seemed to have an edge. But after leading most of the way as she had in the Silverbulletday, she tired and finished sixth. Only has 11 points, so she really needs the win here.
7 Bravo My Beast (Waldo)
Winner of the Busanda in January, she couldn’t move up in the Grade 3 Honeybee and finished seventh. Sitting on 21 points, Bravo My Beast could really use the 100 points that go to the winner of this contest. Wouldn’t count her out, but it’s going to take a big effort to beat these.
8 Temperature (Riggins Racing)
This filly hasn’t been seen since the Southwest in January. That was her only start for the year until now. She won the Mazarine BC Stakes at two. Right now, she has no points, so she needs those 100 winning points. Changed hands in March for $375.000. We’ll see what she can do for her new connections.
10 Bay The Lady (Mb Stables)
This filly has only finished worse than second once. She has quietly put together a string of impressive performances, culminating in a victory in the Cicada last start. But this is her first try in graded company and she has no points right now. Another one I wouldn’t count out and another one that needs a big effort and/or some racing luck.
11 Blazing Ally (First Flight Stable)
Won the Sweetest Chant in February, then dropped in class last out and finished off the board for the first time in her short career. She only has one start on dirt, and she finished a well-beaten second in that maiden attempt. Remains to be seen if she can compete with these on dirt.
12 Sapporo (Riggins Racing)
No points for this filly. Even so, she changed hands for $200.000 in April. Won the Shady Well in ON-bred company back in December but hasn’t done much since then in graded company. Seems a bit outclassed.
13 Avatar (Smokey Stover)
Only a maiden win for this filly. And she has never run beyond seven furlongs. Don’t see her stepping up here. Probably needs more experience to compete against these.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
