KEENELAND OPENS IN STYLE
The much anticipated meeting at Keeneland will get underway on Saturday, for the start of their brief spring meeting, that runs until April 27. A total of 14 stakes races will be compressed in this brief yet outstanding meeting, kicked off with a pair on opening weekend.
The $500,000 Ashland S. (G1) is the big one on Saturday, a key Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep for sophomore fillies. The standout here is Stephanie’s Kitten, last seen taking the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf for conditioner Wayne Catalano. The daughter of Kitten’s Joy has put in some swift drills and should be ready for this one.
Among her likely foes are Gulfstream allowance heroine Karlovy Vary and stakes winner Lotta Lovin.
The opening day headliner is the $100,000 Transylvania S. (G3) on the lawn for sophomores. Grassy Grade 2 winner State of Play comes off a game stakes score at Turfway and looms large in here for conditioner Graham Motion. The dark bay son of War Front could peak third time off the bench.
Star Channel has bagged two in a two on the lawn for Todd Pletcher, and the improving son of English Channel must be considered here. Euro import Press Baron, recent allowance third Monastic, Rushaway S. runner-up Gung Ho and possibly Adirondack King, will go in this spot.