Jody's Pride changes course to Ashland

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The connections of Jody’s Pride have altered course and will now run their 3-year-old filly in the Grade 1, $600,000 Ashland Stakes on April 5 at Keeneland rather than the Grade 3, $200,000 Gazelle at Aqueduct the following day.

Jody’s Pride is coming off a 2 1/4-length victory in the Busher Stakes on March 2 at Aqueduct, her third victory in four career starts. The allure of a Grade 1 opportunity and a larger purse were the primary reasons for the change of plans.

Trainer Jorge Abreu said Jody’s Pride left New York by van for Kentucky on Sunday, giving her the opportunity to work once at Keeneland before the race.

By running in the Ashland, it allows jockey Flavien Prat to get back on Jody’s Pride. Prat rode Jody’s Pride in her two victories at 2 as well as her second-place finish behind Just F Y I in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. Jose Lezcano rode Jody’s Pride in the Busher.

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By choosing the Ashland, it likely makes for a BC Juvenile Fillies rematch with Just F Y I, who, after scratching out of the Davona Dale on March 2 at Gulfstream Park, is now targeting the Ashland.

“We got a race under our belt. She’s going to have to face [Just F Y I] at some point again, so this might be the time to face her,” Abreu said.

With the defection of Jody’s Pride, the Gazelle looks like it’s coming up light numbers-wise. Gazelle probables include Barbratina, Carmelina, Ghalia Princess, Gin Gin, and Life Talk.

The Gazelle offers 200 qualifying points to the Oaks, including 100 to the winner.

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