Buy TicketsSelect fields are expected for the two marquee races during the first weekend of Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet: the 89th running of the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) on Friday, April 3 and the 102nd running of the $1,250,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) the following day.
Todd Pletcher trains Repole Stable’s undefeated Zany, who figures to be the main attraction in the Central Bank Ashland. Zany closed her 2-year-old campaign with a victory in the Demoiselle (G2) and won the Suncoast (L) at Tampa Bay Downs to begin her 3-year-old season.
Taking the Demoiselle-Suncoast route to the Central Bank Ashland four years ago was Nest, who became Pletcher’s second of three winners in the race. He also trained Malathaat in 2021 and Leslie’s Rose in 2024.
Also expected to pass the entry box Monday for the Central Bank Ashland is Hat Creek Racing’s Percy’s Bar. Trained by Ben Colebrook, Percy’s Bar would be making her first start since finishing a troubled third in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar in November.
Percy’s Bar crossed the finish line first in last October’s Darley Alcibiades (G1) but was disqualified to second for interference in the stretch.
A total of 67 fillies were nominated to the 1 1/16-mile Central Bank Ashland, which offers 200 qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the respective first- through fifth-place finishers toward the 152nd running of the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1 at Churchill Downs.
The Central Bank Ashland is one of four stakes — all for 3-year-olds — on opening day. Others are the $400,000 MiddleGround Capital Beaumont (G2), at 7 furlongs on the dirt for fillies; the $600,000 UK HealthCare Transylvania (G3) at 1 1/16 miles on the turf; and the $400,000 Lafayette (L), a 7-furlong dirt race.
Toyota Blue Grass leads five Saturday stakes
A trio of Grade 2 winners – Paladin, Further Ado and Class President – are expected to be in the entry box Tuesday when post positions are drawn for the Toyota Blue Grass.
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine’s Paladin is trained by three-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Chad Brown. Paladin has won the Remsen (G2) and the Risen Star (G2) in his past two starts.
Two of Brown’s Toyota Blue Grass winners, Zandon in 2022 and Sierra Leone in 2024, used the Risen Star as seasonal debuts before coming to Keeneland. Brown’s other Toyota Blue Grass winner was champion Good Magic in 2018.
Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado closed his 2025 campaign with a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) after a 20-length maiden victory at Keeneland. Brad Cox, who sent out champion Essential Quality to win the 2021 Toyota Blue Grass, trains Further Ado, who was second in the ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in his 2026 debut.
WinStar Farm, First Go Racing and CHC Inc’s Class President won the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park in his most recent start. Class President is trained by four-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Todd Pletcher, whose most recent victory in the race came with Tapit Trice in 2023.
A total of 91 3-year-olds were nominated to the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass, which offers 200 points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the first- through fifth-place finishers toward the 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve to be run at Churchill on May 2.
The Toyota Blue Grass will be televised live on NBCSN and Peacock from 6-8 p.m. Post time for the race is 6:22 p.m. The program will also feature live coverage of the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
The Toyota Blue Grass is the 11th and final race of the day, which includes the $650,000 Resolute Racing Madison (G1), for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs on the dirt; the $500,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association, for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on the grass; the $400,000 Valvoline Global Shakertown (G2), for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and the $350,000 Commonwealth (G3), for older horses at 7 furlongs on the dirt.