Jaywalk cruises through final work for Ashland
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jaywalk finalized her preparation for her second start as a 3-year-old when she breezed a smooth half-mile here Sunday in 48.60 seconds. The defending divisional champion, she will face a rugged test Saturday when she lines up against the likes of Restless Rider and Feedback in a pivotal 82nd running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Ashland Stakes.
Jaywalk ended her 2018 campaign with romps in the Frizette and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, but the gray filly was flat in her 3-year-old debut when finishing fourth as a heavy favorite in the March 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream.
“I thought I had her ready, but evidently I didn’t,” said trainer John Servis, who dispatched his son and assistant Tyler to oversee the Sunday breeze while he remained behind in South Florida breaking camp. “But we’re good now. The Davona Dale did her a lot of good and she’s on her game now.”
Her main competitors in the 1 1/16-mile Ashland were sent through their final pre-race breezes Saturday in Florida, with Restless Rider going five furlongs in 59.80 at Gulfstream and Feedback going a half-mile in 49.60 at Palm Meadows.
The Ashland is one of five stakes on a Saturday card featuring the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes, with the others being the Grade 1 Madison, Grade 2 Shakertown, and Grade 3 Commonwealth.
