Muhimma looks to rebound in Ashland off key race loss

Mar 31, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Muhimma wins the Demoiselle S. at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

Muhimma endured her first career loss in the in the Feb. 23 Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn, finishing third as the odds-on favorite. If the subsequent form of the Honeybee can be relied on, Muhimma is in a strong position to bounce back on Friday in the $750,000 Ashland (G1) at Keeneland.

The feature of Keeneland's spring meet opener, the 1 1/16-mile Ashland offers Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 to the respective top five finishers.

The Shadwell-owned Muhimma registered three consecutive wins at two, culminating in a one-length score in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct. However, the gray daughter of Munnings failed to land a blow in the stretch of the Honeybee, losing by 4 1/2 lengths.

However, the depth of the Honeybee field was underscored twice last weekend. The winner Quietside turned in a repeat performance by capturing the Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn, while Honeybee runner-up Five G took home top honors in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

Also looking to rebound in the Ashland from sub-par efforts in the Honeybee are Martha Washington S. winner Take Charge Milady and Santa Ynez S. heroine Look Forward, both of whom finished far up the track.

Likely to draw more interest from bettors, though, is La Cara, the Pocahontas (G3) and Suncoast S. winner who might have been at a disadvantage cutting back to a one-turn mile in the Davona Dale (G2), in which she finished a weakening second to The Queens M G.

The field is rounded out by Running Away and Amarth, the one-two finishers in the Busher S. at Aqueduct; Supa Speed, a nose second in the Santa Ysabel (G3) at Santa Anita last time; and Claiborne homebred Admit, who placed in the Cincinnati Trophy and Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway earlier in the season.

Post time for the Ashland is 5:16 p.m. ET. It can be watched and wagered on at TwinSpires.com.