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After the Wire - 4/7/2013

Evan Hammonds recaps the Wood Memorial Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, and Ashland Stakes.

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Second Chance Pays for Emollient in Ashland

Juddmonte Farms homebred Emollient established a clear lead early and then opened up on her dozen rivals in the stretch to register an easy victory in the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 6 at Keeneland.

Spring in the Air Heads Full Ashland Field

John Oxley's grade I winner Spring in the Air will face a full field of 13 rivals in the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland April 6.

Blue Grass, Special Events Top Keeneland Meet

The $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) April 13 is one of 16 stakes that will highlight the 16-day Keeneland meet that begins April 5.

Champion Beholder Tops 134 Ashland Nominees

A total of 134 fillies, led by champion Beholder, have been nominated to Keeneland's $500,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I), scheduled for Saturday, April 6.

Winner's Circle - A's Game

Karlovy Vary provided Alex G. Campbell Jr. his most recent adrenaline rush April 7 when she scored a front-running victory in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) and became a live contender for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

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After the Wire - 4/8/2012

Evan recaps the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Illinois Derby and Ashland Stakes from the weekend.

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Karlovy Vary, 15-1, Posts Ashland Surprise

Alex G. Campbell Jr.'s homebred goes wire-to-wire in Keeneland feature April 7.

Keeneland, Woodbine Meets to Air on TVG

TVG will provide live coverage of the annual race meets at Keeneland and Woodbine that begin Friday, April 6.

Dancinginherdreams No Longer Oaks-Bound

Dancinginherdreams, who had been working toward the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), will skip the Run for the Lilies due to her poor performance in the April 9 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.

Lilacs and Lace Topples Kathmanblu in Ashland

Lightly-regarded Lilacs and Lace shocked many in the crowd of 23,155 racing fans who turned out to watch the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 9.

THS: Santa Anita Derby 2011

Jason, Tom and Rich handicap the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, and Ashland.

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Dancinginherdreams Still Dreaming of the Oaks

Trainer John Ward has a master plan in mind for the daughter of Tapit.

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Keeneland's 75th Season Begins April 8

Thoroughbred racing returns to Keeneland April 8, the official start of the track's 75th anniversary celebration.

Uncle Mo, Soldat Among Blue Grass Nominees

Many talented 3-year-olds, including champion Uncle Mo, and other graded stakes winners Soldat, The Factor, and Dialed In, are among the 162 nominees to Keeneland's Toyata Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) April 16.

She Be Wild Works; Oaks Still a Possibility

Trainer Wayne Catalano was pleased with champion 3-year-old filly She Be Wild after she breezed April 13 in her first work since running third in the Central Bank Ashland (gr. I) April 3.

Evening Jewel Shines in Ashland Surprise

California shipper Evening Jewel took everything her rivals could throw at her but proved a determined front-running winner of the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr.I) at Keeneland April 3.

Negligee to Make 2010 Debut in Ashland

The daughter of Northern Afleet is slated to make her big comeback in the April 3 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland for Sovereign Stables, a public partnership group based in New Hampshire.

Champ She Be Wild Tops Likely Ashland Field

Headed by last year's champion She Be Wild, a field of seven 3-year-old fillies are on the probable list for the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland on Saturday, April 3.

Keeneland Releases Spring Stakes Schedule

Keeneland has scheduled 16 stakes worth $3.65 million for its 2010 spring race meet. There are some minor purse and sponsorship changes for the meet.

Central Bank to Sponsor Keeneland's Ashland

The Ashland Stakes (gr. I), one of the premier races during the spring meet at Keeneland in Lexington, will be sponsored by Central Bank when it is run April 3, 2010.

Oaks: Hooh Why Still a Possible Starter

Hooh Why, who won the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 4, remains at the Lexington track while co-owner Mark Hoffman decides where the filly will go next. Hoffman had planned to send Hooh Why to Churchill Downs to work April 19, but changed his mind because of heavy rains at the track that morning. Instead, he worked the filly April 20 at Keeneland, where she covered five furlongs in 1:00.20.

Team Hooh Why Considering Oaks Start

Mark Hoffman, co-owner of Ashland Stakes (gr. I) winner Hooh Why, is contemplating a move to Churchill Downs and a possible run at the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I)

Hooh Why Stuns Stardom Bound in Ashland

Stardom Bound, seeking her sixth consecutive grade I victory, was stunned by 24-1 shot Hooh Why in the $400,000 Ashland Stakes April 4 at Keeneland.

Stardom Bound Looking for Sixth Grade I

Although champion Stardom Bound is the clear choice for the April 4 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) opening weekend at Keeneland, the daughter of Tapit has her work cut out of for her when facing an accomplished field of eight other females looking to secure a spot in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Ashland-Bound Fillies Prepare for Battle

Co-owner Mark Hoffman walked his Ashland Stakes (gr. I) hopeful Hooh Why at Keeneland the morning of March 31, a day after the Cloud Hopping filly worked a half-mile in :49.60.

Stardom Bound, Hooh Why in Ashland Works

Champion Stardom Bound and Hooh Why have put in their final works for the April 4 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.

Stardom Bound Headed to Ashland Stakes

Stardom Bound, who just got up for a desperate nose victory in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) March 7, did not take the big step forward her connections had been hoping for, and now likely will point for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) and the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Keeneland Reduces Spring Stakes Purses

Seventeen stakes worth $3.8 million will be run during Keeneland's spring meet, which begins April 3 and continues through April 24.

Little Belle Fights Back to Take Ashland

Darley Stabe's Little Belle battled back in the stretch to fend off Bsharpsonata to capture Saturday's Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland by a hard-fought neck.

Country Star, Proud Spell in Ashland

A field of seven, headlined by graded stakes winners Country Star and Proud Spell, will take to the gate for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5 at Keeneland.

Ashland Fillies Ready for Showdown

A field of nine fillies is expected for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5 at Keeneland, and the race should help sort out who is the best filly heading into the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Proud Spell Nominated to Triple Crown

Airdrie Stud's-homebred filly Proud Spell has been nominated to the Triple Crown. She is slated to make her next start against fillies in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5 at Keeneland.

Christmas Kid Ties Bow On Ashland for Evans

It felt a little like Christmas at Keeneland Saturday, where temperatures approached freezing. Naturally, Christmas Kid felt right at home in winning the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies and becoming a major contender for next month's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Octave, Mistical Plan Set for Rematch in Ashland Stakes

Octave and Mistical Plan are set for a rematch in the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 7, going 1 1/16 miles over the Polytrack surface at Keeneland Race Course. In addition to Octave and Mistical Plan, seven other fillies, including High Again and Christmas Kid, are expected in the starting gate.

Dreaming of Anna, Rags to Riches Top Ashland Nominations

Frank Calabrese's champion juvenile filly Dreaming of Anna and Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor's Rags to Riches, winner of the Las Virgenes (gr. I), head a list of 126 3-year-old fillies nominated to the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 7 at Keeneland.

Keeneland Announces Record $4.3 Million Spring Stakes Schedule

Keeneland will offer a record $4,275,000 million in stakes purses during its 2007 spring race meet, to be held April 6-27, up $50,000 from the 2006 spring meeting.

Bushfire Burns Ashland Field; Balance Third

Bushfire, winner of the Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay in her previous start, led from start to finish to post a convincing upset victory Saturday in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) before 21,342 fans at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky. as heavily favored Balance finished third.

Balance Brings Impressive Record Into Ashland

Amerman Racing Stables' Balance heads a field of eight 3-year-old fillies entered for Saturday's $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.

Champion Folklore Tops List of Ashland Nominees

Champion juvenile filly Folklore tops a list of 80 nominees for the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 8, at Keeneland.

Keeneland Spring Meet: Nineteen Stakes Worth More Than $4 Million

Keeneland has announced the stakes program for its 2006 spring meet. The schedule features two grade elevations and a total of 19 stakes races worth $4,225,000.

Sharp Lisa Doing Better; Scheduled to Run in Fantasy

Sharp Lisa, who was scratched from Saturday's Ashland Stakes (gr. I) because of an injury, is scheduled to run in Friday's Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park, according to her trainer, Doug O'Neill.

Sharp Lisa Misses Ashland With Foot Bruise

Grade I winner Sharp Lisa, expected to be one of the favorites, was forced to scratch from Saturday's Ashland (gr. I) at Keeneland due to a bruised hind hoof.

Talented Sis City Seeking Ashland Glory

After a successful winter in Florida, Sis City is in Kentucky looking for greater glory. Winner of the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) by 16 lengths, the daughter of Slew City Slew is among seven 3-year-old fillies scheduled to compete in Saturday's Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.

Plenty of Pre-Race Action at Keeneland

There was plenty of pre-race action at Keeneland Race Course Tuesday morning as a handful of potential Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) runners, including a possible Marker's Mark Mile (gr. IT) and Ashland Stakes (gr. I) starter hit the oval. Opening day at Keeneland is April 8.

Champion Sweet Catomine Among Ashland Stakes Nominees

Sweet Catomine, last year's champion 2-year-old filly, tops the list of 68 fillies nominated tor Keeneland's $500,000, Ashland Stakes (gr. I). The race will be run at 1 1/16 miles April 9, nearly a month before the Kentucky Oaks.

Madcap Escapade Shows Way in Ashland

Bruce Lunsord's undefeated Madcap Escapade was able to dictate the pace and hold off a determined Ashado in the stretch for her fourth straight victory in the $485,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at Keeneland Saturday.

Halfbridled Out of Ashland After Tying Up

The stumbling blocks continued for 2-year-old filly champ Halfbridled Friday morning when she tied up (cramped up) after a routine gallop for Saturday's $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I), in which she was to face Madcap Escapade and Ashado for leadership in the 3-year-old filly division.

Small Field for Ashland Loaded With Talent

A small but select field of 3-year-old fillies, including champion Halfbridled, undefeated Madcap Escapade, Eclipse Award finalist Ashado, and grade III winner La Reina, has been entered for Saturday's $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.

TVG to Provide On-Site Coverage of Keeneland Spring Meet

When racing returns to Central Kentucky, TVG will air live on-site coverage of Keeneland's 15-day Spring Meet, beginning April 2 through April 23. TVG's live coverage will air from 3:00-5:00 p.m. (est) on "Trackside Live!: Keeneland/Aqueduct" and will be simulcast on Fox Sports Net 2 on 11 of the 15 days.