Interstatedaydream Could Give Cox Second Central Bank Ashland Victory

Trainer Brad Cox recorded the first of his 16 Keeneland stakes victories in the spring of 2018 when future two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl won the Central Bank Ashland (G1). 

On Friday’s opening-day program, Cox will send out Interstatedaydream for owner Staton Flurry in his quest for a second victory in the race. Florent Geroux, who rode Monomoy Girl to victory in her Central Bank Ashland triumph, has the call on Interstatedaydream, who will break from post position two. 

“She just shipped in (from Oaklawn Park),” Cox said. “She ran a big number at Oaklawn and I think she can be competitive.” 

Interstatedaydream came off a seven-month layoff to win her 2022 debut by 8¼ lengths on March 13 at the Central Bank Ashland distance of 1 1/16 miles. 

“We just decided to give her the time off after the Saratoga race,” Cox said of Interstatedaydream, who ran second in the Adirondack (G2) in her second career start. “There was no big reason; just wanted to let her grow.” 

Interstatedaydream returned to training in January over Keeneland’s all-weather training track before heading to Oaklawn. 

The Central Bank Ashland offers 170 points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the first- through fourth-place finishers toward qualification to the May 6, $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) that is limited to the top 14 point earners that pass the entry box. 

Cox and Flurry teamed to win the 2020 Oaks with Shedaresthedevil.