Kentucky Oaks Ashland Preview: Malathaat Returns March 30, 2021 Malathaat winning the Demoiselle (Credit: NYRA) Kentucky Oaks Ashland Preview: Malathaat Returns March 30, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article LEXINGTON, KY – Shadwell Stable’s undefeated Malathaat makes her long-awaited return to the races in Saturday’s $400,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. The Ashland is a 1 1/16-mile dirt route restricted to 3-year-old fillies that offers 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Oaks (G1) points to the top four finishers. This year’s edition is the ninth event on an 11-race card that includes the Blue Grass, a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race, and has a local post time of 5:30 PM. Blue Grass Preview: Essential Quality Set for Final Prep Here’s a look at the full field for the Ashland: 1. Curlin’s Catch 8/1 – She won 2 straight on dirt to start her 2021 campaign, including a 4 1/2-length triumph in the Suncoast Stakes, but was fifth in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) last time out. The runner-up of that won last weekend’s Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and unites for the first time with jockey Chris Landeros, who wins at a 21% rate with a positive ROI when riding for the Mark Casse barn. 2. Pass the Champagne 4/1 – She takes a major step up in class after breaking her maiden by 2 1/2 lengths in a 7-furlong Gulfstream Park dirt sprint. Not only is this her first time facing winners, but also her first try going two turns, but at least she’s bred to handle the added distance. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano shows confidence picking up the mount for the first time. 3. Simply Ravishing 5/2 – She won 3 straight to start her career, including the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) over this course and distance, before finishing a close fourth in the Breeers’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Off since finishing fourth in last November’s Golden Rod Stakes (G2), she worked frequently with stablemate Crazy Beautiful leading up to that one’s Gulfstream Park Oaks romp last weekend. “It will be good to get her going,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “Simply Ravishing is extremely talented and she won the Alcibiades, so it just seemed logical to run her back in the Ashland.” Watch the latest episode of Dr. Miranda Previews for Dr. Miranda’s BEST BETS in this race! 4. Moon Swag 10/1 – She won 2 straight at Albuquerque Downs to start her career before transferring to the Brendan Walsh barn and running in 3 Fair Grounds stakes. Her best finish in any of those was third while never crossing closer than 4 lengths behind the winner and will likely go off at double-digit odds for the fourth straight start. Adam Beschizza rides for the third straight start. 5. Malathaat 9/5 – The $1 million yearling certainly looked the part last year when she won all 3 appearances, including last December’s 1 1/8-mile Demoiselle Stakes (G2) in her first try routing. Trainer Todd Pletcher called her his best 2-year-old before her debut and has put her through several weeks’ worth of works in order to get her fit. He historically wins 19% with runners returning after similar layoffs. 6. Will’s Secret 7/2 – She rides a 3-race win streak that includes the Martha Washington Stakes and the Honeybee Stakes (G3), both at Oaklawn Park. It’s interesting that she shows up here, rather than staying there for Saturday’s Fantasy Stakes (G3) that offers a larger purse and the same amount of Oaks points, but she’s already in the Oaks gate based on points. Trainer Dallas Stewart won this in 2019. Inside Track to the 2021 Blue Grass Subscribe to Racing Dudes Premium and receive our 10-page wagering guide to the 2021 Blue Grass absolutely FREE! Includes exclusive Ashland Stakes analysis and picks! Get Racing Dudes Premium
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More