The $1 million Toyota Blue Grass stakes. and the Central Bank Ashland $500,000 stakes will be held at Keeneland racetrack on April 7.
Keeneland’s 16-day Spring meet opens Friday and runs through April 27.
The Toyota Blue Grass
China Horse Club International, WinStar Farm and SF Racing’s Quip completed his major preparation for Saturday’s $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) by working 5 furlongs in company in 1:00.40 over a fast track early Sunday at Keeneland.
With trainer Rodolphe Brisset aboard, Quip started two lengths in back of Potomac and finished on even terms in posting fractions of :12.60, :25, :47.20 and 1:00.40 in the work that was accomplished shortly after the track opened at 5:30 a.m. ET.
Sunday’s work was the second for Quip since he won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 10. Quip worked a half-mile in :48.40 on March 24 at Tampa Bay Downs before shipping to Keeneland.
“He is training well and he is a good shipper,” Brisset said of Quip, who spent plenty of time here last year and won a two-turn allowance race by 6½ lengths over Keeneland’s main track.
In other Toyota Blue Grass news, Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing’s Blended Citizen walked the shedrow Sunday morning at Keeneland a day after working 5 furlongs in 1:01. Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill, said Blended Citizen came out of the work well.
Other probable Toyota Blue Grass starters are California Night, Determinant, Flameaway, Free Drop Billy, Good Magic, Gotta Go, Heartfullofstars, Machismo, Sporting Chance, Tiz Mischief and Zing Zang with Kanthaka considered as a possible entrant.
California Night worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.23 at Belmont Park on Saturday for trainer Mike Maker.
The Central Bank Ashland likely favorite
Monomoy Stables, Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables’ Monomoy Girl, the probable favorite for Saturday’s $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), breezed a half-mile in :47.20 Sunday morning at Keeneland over a fast track.
“That was visually impressive,” said trainer Brad Cox, who claimed his second training title at the Fair Grounds meet that closed Saturday. “I had her going out in 1:00.03 and then 1:13.40 for three-quarters.”
A winner of four of five starts, Monomoy Girl comes into the Central Bank Ashland off a 2½-length victory in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) as the 9-10 favorite at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17.
Sunday’s work was the fifth for Monomoy Girl since her Rachel Alexandra victory.
Although Monomoy Girl never has raced at Keeneland, Sunday’s work was not her first over the track.
“She was here for a few months last year,” Cox said. “She was here and then went to Ellis Park before she debuted at Indiana Grand.”
Zedan Racing Stables’ Tyfosha is considered a 60-40 proposition to start in the Central Bank Ashland over Sunday’s Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, according to Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill. Tyfosha worked a half-mile in :50.20 here Saturday morning.
Other probable starters for the Central Bank Ashland are Andina Del Sur, C. S. Incharge and Mrs Rocco with Patrona Margarita and Eskimo Kisses considered as possible entrants.