Ashland J

A field of eight has been entered for Saturday’s $500,000 Ashland S. (G1) at
Keeneland and, with the forecast calling for thunderstorms, the contestants
could find themselves facing something new. Only two in the field have any
experience running on an off track, and we’re going with one of those sophomores
to take this 1 1/16-mile test.

WAIT A WHILE (Maria’s Mon) comes from the barn of Todd Pletcher and will have
John Velazquez aboard for this one. Based on those two factors, she could be a
clear second choice in the wagering behind recent Santa Anita Oaks (G1) victress, BALANCE (Thunder
Gulch). Add in the rainy forecast, and her odds could drop further. The gray lass is the only one in the
field with any kind of off-track experience, taking the sloppy Davona Dale S.
(G2) by a dominating 14 lengths two back. She broke her maiden by five lengths
on a good track at Belmont Park last season, and followed that up with a 6
1/2-length victory in the Miss Grillo S., also on Belmont’s good dirt. Wait a
While has earned some nice numbers in both starts this year and could come out
on top here.

Balance could take yet another winning step in her quest for the Kentucky
Oaks (G1). The David Hofmans-trained sophomore has crossed under the line behind
another rival only one race to date, that coming as a half-length second in last
year’s Hollywood Starlet S. (G1). She does own another placing, though, when
disqualified from first to third in the Hidden Light S. in only her second
career start. Among her victories are wins in the Sharp Cat S. and Las Virgenes
S. (G1), and she enters the Ashland off a 2 1/2-length score in the Santa Anita
Oaks. Balance earned a 105 BRIS Late Pace rating for that one and will keep
regular rider Victor Espinoza in the irons.

ITTY BITTY PRETTY (El Corredor) came three wide into the stretch of the Las
Virgenes, but still managed to make up some ground to get third. She entered
that one off a stellar six-length score in the Santa Ysabel S. (G3), where she
earned a 107 BRIS Late Pace rating, and has been working well at Keeneland of
late to prepare for this one. The Doug O’Neill charge’s numbers may not be as
high as others in here, but the bay filly still has the talent to be in the top
three and could add some value to the exotics under Mark Guidry.

PERFORMING DIVA (Storm Cat) is another who might go off at a price. The Bill
Mott-trained dark bay just made her sophomore bow last out, taking a Gulfstream
Park allowance by 2 3/4 lengths, and ships in from the Sunshine State for this
one. She worked a nice four furlongs in :49 1/5 on March 31 at Payson Park
Training Center and will have Rene Douglas in the saddle for the first time. The
pair could make a run for the top three.

BUSHFIRE (Louis Quatorze) is yet another Florida-based runner invading
Keeneland. The Eddie Kenneally trainee was well back in the Davona Dale in the
slop but has earned some very competitive numbers in all but that start. Her
most recent race, a three-quarter of a length victory in the Florida Oaks,
resulted in a 102 BRIS E1 Pace rating as well as a 106 BRIS E2 Pace figure.
Bushfire will be tough in the exotics. SARATOGA DRIVE (Siphon [Brz]) rallied to
get second in the Florida Oaks last out and worked a bullet four furlongs in :47
last Saturday at Palm Meadows Training Center. She could grab part at a price.

SWEET SUGAREE (Tiznow) will probably try to set the pace in this one, but
might not be fast enough to keep up. We’ll watch for now. COOLWIND (Forest
Wildcat) could be out of her class in this one.