Eskimo Kisses possible for Ashland Stakes

Eskimo Kisses, whose late rally in the Fair Grounds Oaks fell a head short, could run back on short rest in the Ashland Stakes April 7 at Keeneland, trainer Ken McPeek said.

The Ashland comes just two weeks after the Fair Grounds Oaks, but Eskimo Kisses didn’t race on the anti-bleeder medication Lasix, which can require a longer post-race recovery.

“Her good race at Oaklawn was back on 17 days’ rest, so I’m not going to rule out the Ashland now,” McPeek said. “If it lines up a short field and she’s doing well, I’m not one to be shy. I don’t really like the six weeks between the Fair Grounds Oaks and the Kentucky Oaks.”

McPeek said Eskimo Kisses would ship to Kentucky with the rest of his Fair Grounds-based stock this weekend.

Meanwhile, Classy Act, who faded to fourth while beaten just 1 1/4 lengths after setting a fast pace as the Fair Grounds Oaks favorite, appeared to have come out of the race in good shape, trainer Bret Calhoun said.

“I thought she went a little too quick,” Calhoun said. “She’s gotten pretty aggressive.”

Calhoun said no concrete plans have been made for Classy Act, but one race under consideration is the Eight Belles Stakes May 4 at Churchill, which would mark a cutback in distance to seven furlongs. Calhoun said he would probably leave Classy Act’s blinkers on if she runs in a one-turn race like the Eight Belles, but take them off if the filly sticks to two-turn races.

“I also think she has a good career ahead of her on turf,” he said. “We’ve always thought she could be a good grass horse.”