The Ashland- Grade I
KEE Race 4 1 1/16M Dirt
Purse $500.000 For Fillies
Three Years Old
1st Quiver Pond, trained by Estero Farms
Saved ground around the first turn two lengths off the pace being set by Manifest and maintained that position all the way down the backstretch. Angled off the rail as they entered the far turn and started to slowly advance on the leader. Stuck her nose in front at the top of the stretch, opened up on the field and then held off a hard charging British Chai.
2nd British Chai, trained by Mo Mentum Farm
Moved up after the start so that she could move over alongside Quiver Pond moving into the first turn. After exiting the turn, she began ceding ground eventually finding herself five lengths from the front. Began to gain ground as they moved around turn and closed strongly down the stretch to miss by half a length.
3rd Line Drive, trained by Our Athletes
Moved over to the rail and dropped back to trail the leader by 5 as they raced down the backstretch. Saved ground around the far turn as she tried to start a rally. Was unable to gain ground on the top two but did out finish Confidently In Love to claim the show.
4th Confidently In Love, trained by Mb Stables
Fell all the way back to last to save ground and found herself seven lengths off the lead down the backstretch. Tried to launch a rally around the far turn but was only able to pass a couple of tiring horses to capture a small check.
Summary
Off tracks tend to lead to surprises here at HRP and this was a good example. It seemed like some of the favorites were not particularly fond of the off going and Quiver Pond seemed to take to it. Couple that with a perfect trip from the rail and you get a bit of an upset. She will move onto the Oaks and see if she can replicate this performance there. British Chai is just outside the top 14 but with MB and Smokey having multiple qualifiers she may be able to draw into the Oaks as a maiden. Confidently In Love, Manifest and Molly Magne all have enough points to run so, even though I am sure they are disappointed with today’s result, they will get another crack at Quiver Pond there.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
