Saturday’s $500,000 Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland features a field of nine
three-year-old fillies, including strong entries from the Doug O’Neill and Todd
Pletcher stables in MISTICAL PLAN (Game Plan) and OCTAVE (Unbridled’s Song),
respectively. Mistical Plan brings a two-race win skein into the 1 1/16-mile
event, capturing the Sunshine Millions Oaks before recording a 3 1/4-length
decision over Octave in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) last out, and the front
runner will break from post 2 with Robby Albarado.
Octave may have been no match for her rival last time, but the Grade 2 winner
was making her 2007 debut. Runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1)
and Matron S. (G1), Octave is eligible to improve in her second start of the
season. Regular rider Garrett Gomez, who also rides fellow Pletcher stablemate
and Kentucky Oaks (G1)-bound Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), will be in the saddle.
The Bill Mott-trained HIGH AGAIN (High Yield), who turned the tables on
CHRISTMAS KID (Lemon Drop Kid) when capturing the Bonnie Miss S. (G2) by 1 1/2
lengths last out, is in the field, and Christmas Kid will also go forth for
James Jerkens. Christmas Kid posted a a four-length score over High Again in the
Davona Dale S. (G2) two starts back.
SILVER KNOCKERS (Silver Deputy) also merits respect. The once-beaten Nick
Zito pupil finished second as the favorite in the Forward Gal S. (G2) most
recently. The Ashland marks the stakes debut for ELITIST (Honour and Glory). The
Paul McGee charge exits a pair of impressive victories at Turfway Park.
Elitist will lead the post parade under Bill Troilo. Mistical Plan comes next
and then DAWN AFTER DAWN (Successful Appeal), Shaun Bridgmohan; GRACE HAPPENS
(Aptitude), James Graham; Octave; Christmas Kid, Rene Douglas; HUCKING HOT (GB)
(Desert Prince [Ire]), Rafael Bejarano; High Again, Julien Leparoux; and Silver
Knockers, Jeremy Rose.
All starters will carry 121 pounds.
The $100,000
Lafayette S. will also be offered on the undercard. Stakes winner
OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place), third in the Hutcheson S. (G2) most recently for
Pletcher, tops a field of 11 sophomores. Other contenders include Lecomte S.
(G3) runner-up IZZIE’S HALO (Halo’s Image); Turfway Prevue S. winner CARNACKS
CHOICE (Carson City); BARKLEY SOUND (Dixieland Band), who notched his third
consecutive win when taking the Pasco S. most recently; and the Scott
Lake-trained CALL ME CLASH (Clash By Night), a three-length winner of the
Horatius S. at Laurel Park last out.