Monomoy Girl targets Ashland Stakes

The five-week break between the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and the Fair Grounds Oaks is long enough that horses can start in both races without fear of a strong showing in the first leading to regression in the second.

Nonetheless, Monomoy Girl, who won the Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes last Saturday at Fair Grounds, looking like a major Kentucky Oaks player in a division lacking standouts, is likely to pass on the Fair Grounds Oaks on March 24 in favor of the Ashland Stakes on April 7 at Keeneland.

“We’ve talked to the owners, and I don’t want to say it’s 100 percent, but that looks like what we’re going to do with her,” said Brad Cox, who trains Monomoy Girl for Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables LLC, and The Elkstone Group. “With her running a big figure Saturday, I personally and the owners don’t mind the seven weeks between starts. The Fair Grounds Oaks would be the backup plan.”

Monomoy Girl, making her first start since taking a tough loss when second Nov. 26 in the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes, got a 91 Beyer Speed Figure in the Rachel Alexandra, the highest number in 2018 for a 3-year-old filly in a dirt race at or beyond one mile. Classy Act, who was a well-beaten second in the Rachel Alexandra, got an 87, tying for the second-highest such figure this year. Monomoy Girl won comfortably Saturday despite blowing the break and racing wide on the far turn while taken out of her typical front-running style. The Ashland also appeals to her connections since the race is a Grade 1 and the Fair Grounds Oaks a Grade 2.

The Ashland's purse, at $500,000, is $100,000 more than the Oaks.

Cox said Monomoy Girl probably will have her next workout on March 4 or March 5.

“We’ll keep her on a Sunday or Monday schedule,” Cox said. “Most of her work will be done at Fair Grounds, with the exception of her last work before the Ashland.”