Photograph: Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire
The sector is shaping up for 2 main races through the first weekend of Keeneland’s 15-day spring meet. That is the 89th working of the Grade 1. ashland Subsequent Friday, the 102nd run. blue grass The following day (G1).
Todd Pletcher trains undefeated Lepore secure Simply kiddingis taken into account Ashland’s largest attraction. Zanny ended his 2-year-old season with a victory within the Demoiselle (G2) and began his 3-year-old season with a win at Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs.
Nest, who took the Dumoiselle-Suncoast path to Ashland 4 years in the past, was Pletcher’s second of three winners within the race. He additionally educated Marathat in 2021 and Leslie Rose in 2024.
Anticipated to cross the entry field in Ashland on Monday is Percy’s Bar. Educated by Ben Colebrook, Percy’s Bar might be making his first begin since ending a disappointing third within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar in November.
Percy’s Bar completed first within the Alcibiades (G1) final October, however was disqualified to second for interference within the straight line.
A complete of 67 fillies had been nominated for the 1 1/16-mile Ashland with qualifying factors of 100-50-25-15-10 for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) to be held Might 1 at Churchill Downs.
The Ashland is one among 4 stakes all open to 3-year-old horses on opening day. Others are beaumont (G2) 7 furlongs on filth for fillies. of transylvania (G3) 1 1/16 miles on turf. and lafayettea seven-furlong filth race.
Bluegrass leads Saturday Stakes with 5 wins
A trio of Grade 2 winners, Paladin, Father Addo and Class President, are anticipated to be within the entry field on Tuesday when the bluegrass put up positions might be drawn.
Paladin is educated by three-time Bluegrass champion Chad Brown. He has gained Remsen (G2) and Risenstar (G2) in his previous two begins.
Two of Brown’s bluegrass winners, Zandon in 2022 and Sierra Leone in 2024, used Risen Star as their season debut earlier than coming to Keeneland. Brown’s different bluegrass winner was 2018 champion Good Magic.
Moreover, Addo capped off his 2025 season with a victory within the Kentucky Jockey Membership (G2) after incomes his first win by 20 lengths at Keeneland. Brad Cox, who despatched out champion Important High quality to win the 2021 Bluegrass, will prepare Father Add, who completed second within the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in his 2026 debut.
Class President gained the Insurgent (G2) at Oaklawn Park in his most up-to-date begin. The category president is coached by Pletcher, a four-time Bluegrass winner, whose most up-to-date race win was the 2023 Tapit Trice.
A complete of 91 3-year-olds have been named to the 50-25, 15-10 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass for the Might 2 Kentucky Derby at Churchill.
Bluegrass might be broadcast stay on NBCSN and peacock From 6:00pm to eight:00pm (ET). The race will air at 6:22 p.m. This system will even function stay protection of the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Bluegrass is the eleventh and closing race of the day. madison (G1), filth 7 furlongs for mares and mares. of Appalachia (G2), 1 mile of turf for 3-year-old fillies. of shaker city (G2), 5 1/2 furlongs on grass for ages 3 and up. and federation (G3) For older horses with 7 furlongs of filth.
