Repole Stable’s Zany, the morning-line favorite for this afternoon’s Central Bank Ashland (G1), got in an early morning gallop under Nora McCormack before off and on showers hit Keeneland Friday morning.

This afternoon, she will attempt to give trainer Todd Pletcher a fourth victory in the race and follow in the hoofprints of Pletcher’s first Central Bank Ashland winner Malathaat.

Both fillies came to Keeneland undefeated in their first three starts, and Malathaat prevailed in the 2021 Central Bank Ashland as a springboard to a Kentucky Oaks (G1) victory four weeks later.

“With Malathaat, before she had a couple of breezes she had indicated she was super talented and the pedigree was there,” Pletcher said. “Zany is definitely talented and to go from a 6½ (furlong) maiden race to the mile and an eighth Demoiselle (G2) and win like she did (by 8½ lengths) was impressive.”

Zany comes to Keeneland off a victory in the Suncoast (L) at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7.

“That was a good race, and the horse she beat (Life of Joy) came back and won the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2),” Pletcher said.

Before the 2021 Oaks, Pletcher said of Malathaat, “She is a star.”

He was spot on in his assessment as Malathaat earned two Eclipse Awards, won six Grade 1 races and earned more than $3.7 million.

Star status may await Zany.

“She has always trained well and has a lot of natural talent and stamina,” Pletcher said. “The raw ability is there, and we are excited about her and have high hopes.” 

Pletcher confirmed that WinStar Farm, First Go Racing and CHC Inc.’s Class President would not run in Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1).

“I was not happy with the way he trained the last couple of days,” Pletcher said. “He is going to go to a clinic the first of next week for some tests. It’s a bump in the road, and we’re not giving up on the Derby Trail but the timing is not ideal.”

A two-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, Pletcher will be represented in this year’s running with Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Renegade.

“He is back at Palm Beach Downs (training center in Florida) and he will have one or two works there with his final work at Churchill Downs,” Pletcher said. “Grittiness (17th on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard) and Nearly (22nd) will train up to a race at Churchill Downs on May 2.”