Ashland (Grade 1) (KYO)- $400.000 Purse
KEE- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
April 3, 2021

Our Athletes will have a runner in the KYO, as his filly, Sundress, stepped up in the Ashland, winning a race that she likely needed a top two finish in. It would be a wire to wire victory for this filly that is out of a former KYO winner, herself. That was Shake It Off, the 2016 third place finisher that ended up running in a total of four BC races. Sundress would love to follow that lead for her career, and she is off to a great start. This victory would be the first in the race for both Our Athletes, and the jockey, F Geroux. Congratulations to them! The time of the race was 1:41.79, the third quickest in the history of the race (all three of which have happened in the last three years). Let’s take a look!

(¼ Mile- :23.83)- Our eventual winner of the race, Sundress, trained by Our Athletes is fast out of the gate, but has some company on the front end initially in the form of Arindel’s Tall and Fast, putting our top two picks for the race in the lead to start. Stalking them a length and half behind, we had a group of three, consisting of Notorious Return (TwinTowersRacing) on the rail, Gracie G (Mb Stables) between horses, and Amalfi (D J C Racing Stables) three wide. About two more lengths back, we have Viking Belle Vb (Smokey Stover) and Story To Tell (Mb Stables). Trailing, are Dirty Storm (Arindel) and Send Noods (Jive Inc).

(½ Mile- :47.47)- Sundress is looking good in front, and she pulls away from Tall And Fast in the backstretch without overextending herself for half a mile. Tall And Fast remains second, but is falling into the clutches of Amalfi, who is ready to go by on the outside, as well as Notorious Return, who’s about to do similar on the inside. Gracie G had to back off a little to account or Tall And Fast. Further back, the rest of the field is along for the ride, but not making a move.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Sundress is cruising right along, still. Her advantage is only extended as they moved around the turn, to about two and a half lengths, and entering the top of the stretch, Our Athletes had to be thrilled. Barring a collapse, this race seemed in the bag, or at least a top two finish, which is what the filly would have needed to make the KYO. Amalfi is the second place horse here, but there is no progress being made. Gracie G was reluctant to make an outside move when it would have been in her best interest, and by the time they were at the top of the stretch, it was too late for that because Viking Belle Vb was in the way. Notorious Return was another horse holding steady, but not advancing.

(Finish- 1:41.79)- In the stretch, it’s all Sundress. She has plenty left in the tank to get a comfortable looking win. Gracie G made a move in the stretch, but that was only going to be for second. It was made easier thanks to Tall And Fast really drifting out and then fading late. Notorious Return gets third for her efforts, giving Viking Belle Vb fourth. Rounding it out, it’s Amalfi, Tall And Fast, Story To Tell, Dirty Storm, and Send Noods.

About The Winner- Sundress, trained by Our Athletes and ridden to victory by F Geroux, is a three year old filly by Cherokee Sunset, and is out of Shake It Off. She was bred in Kentucky as a yearling by Our Athletes, where she has been throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in nine starts, her second stake win, and first graded win, Her career earnings are now $414.400.

Track: Fast
Time: :23⁴  :47²  1:10⁴  1:41³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 3 Paid 1,609.80
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 3 – 1 Paid 1,471.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES