The speedy Venetian Harbor (Munnings) will look to run five rivals off their feet in Saturday's GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland.
A runaway heroine of Santa Anita's GII Las Virgenes S. Feb. 8, she set a fast pace and only found the streaking GII Toyota Blue Grass S.- bound Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) too tough as the 4-5 favorite in the GIII Fantasy S. going this same distance at Oaklawn last time May 1.
Venetian Harbor fired a five-furlong warning shot in :58 3/5 (1/29) for trainer Richie Baltas at the San Luis Rey Training Center June 27.
Since graduating by nine lengths at Los Alamitos last December, Speech (Mr Speaker) has hooked standouts such as Gamine (Into Mischief), Swiss Skydiver, Donna Veloce (Uncle Mo) and Auberge (Palace) while finishing second in four straight. She completed the exacta behind Swiss Skydiver in the GII Santa Anita Oaks last time June 6.
Juddmonte homebred Bonny South (Munnings) enters riding a three-race winning streak for Brad Cox, led by a breakthrough score in the GII TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks last time Mar. 21.
Tonalist's Shape (Tonalist), heroine of Gulfstream's GIII Forward Gal S. and GII Davona Dale S. around one turn, made up for a disappointing run in her route debut in the GII Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks Mar. 28 with a dominating tally in the Hollywood Wildcat S. at this distance last time May 15. Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. adds blinkers for her first start outside of the Sunshine State.
The Ashland carries 170 qualifying points (100-40-20-10) for the Kentucky Oaks.
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