Speech enhances Oaks credentials with convincing Ashland win

Jul 11, 2020 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Speech overhauled pacesetter Venetian Harbor in upper stretch and drew off to a stylish three-length score in Saturday’s $400,000 Ashland (G1) at Keeneland, notching her first stakes win in the major Road to the Kentucky Oaks series qualifier. Javier Castellano was up on the daughter of Mr. Speaker for Michael McCarthy.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Madaket Stables, Speech was off as the 4-1 third choice among five 3-year-old fillies and completed the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:41.26.

The winner tracked about a length behind Venetian Harbor, the 3-5 favorite, until launching her bid nearing the conclusion of the far turn. Speech snapped a string of four consecutive runner-up efforts, including the Santa Ysabel (G3) and Santa Anita Oaks (G2). She finished only a neck back of well-regarded Gamine in an Oaklawn allowance two starts previously, but the bay lass was no match for Swiss Skydiver in the June 6 Santa Anita Oaks most recently.

Speech stepped forward in the Ashland, which awarded points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top four, and established herself as a serious contender for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 4.

Venetian Harbor held second, 3 3/4 lengths better than third-placer Envoutante. Bonny’s South and Atta’s Award came next under the wire.

Bred in Florida by Gail Rice, Speech was purchased for $190,000 at the OBS March 2-year-old sale. She is out of the Freud mare Scribbling Sarah, and Speech has now earned $353,840 from a 7-2-4-1 record.