Ashland Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Apr 4)

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks stops off at Keeneland this weekend, as the Spring Meet gets underway.

The Ashland Stakes has been a notable prep race before the contest at Churchill Downs, and it has produced significant fillies such as Monomoy Girl, Malathaat, and Nest since 2018. But, which runner will land Grade One success this Friday?

Odds

Ashland Stakes Recent Winners

Ashland Stakes: Event Information

Event Preview

The G1 Ashland Stakes is the featured race on the opening day of the Spring Meet at Keeneland, with fillies aged three competing over 1 1/16 miles to secure their place in next month’s Kentucky Oaks. Todd Pletcher boasts a dominant recent record in the race, winning three of the last four editions.

However, Pletcher has no runner in the race this weekend. Muhimma is an eye-catching runner for Brad Cox, as she bids to bounce back from her third in the G3 Honeybee Stakes in February. Her two-year-old form was incredibly strong, which included a victory in the G2 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct.

Look Forward has a progressive profile for trainer Michael McCarthy. However, she will also need to bounce back after a disappointing seventh in the G3 Honeybee. She was exciting before that effort, winning over a shorter trip in the Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita.

Running Away is the runner from the Wesley Ward yard. The three-year-old has won on each of her last two starts, which included a notable victory at Aqueduct when landing the Busanda Stakes. She also has previous experience at Keeenaldn after finishing third in October.

Supa Speed is also interesting for John Sadler, with Joel Rosario booked to take the ride. The three-year-old has won twice from six career starts, but she has looked revitalised on the dirt, including when second in the G3 Santa Ysabel Stakes last month.

Ashland Stakes Picks

Plenty of runners have questions to answer this weekend, meaning that La Cara could be the strongest chance.

The three-year-old filly for Mark Casse was fifth in the G1 Juvenile Fillies last term, and returned to action this year with a fine win in the Suncoast Stakes, reaching a speed figure of 95.

She wasn’t as impressive when second in the G2 Davona Dale Stakes, but a return to her best form makes her the leading play.