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Peace and War returns to Keeneland for Ashland

Peace and War upset her U.S. rivals in the Alcibiades last fall (Keeneland/Coady Photography) Peace and War (War Front) will seek another successful raid on Keeneland when she lines up against six other three-year-old fillies in the $500,000 Ashland (G1) on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile event, a leading prep for the Kentucky Oaks (G1), will be run on the dirt for the first time since 2006. Qatar Racing's color bearer was a 23-1 outsider with three outings in England when she took down top honors last October in the Alcibiades (G1) after rallying from 13 lengths back. Among the vanquished were eventual juvenile filly champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway) and Top Decile (Congrats), who narrowly missed catching Take Charge Brandi in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Returned to England following the Alcibiades after what was described as a minor setback, trainer Olly Stevens has liked what he's seen from the filly this year.

"She is better mentally now than she was last year," Stevens said.

The only other Grade 1 winner in the field is Angela Renee (Bernardini), who took the Chandelier (G1) at Santa Anita last fall, but Todd Pletcher's filly was subsequently beaten by wide margins in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Demoiselle (G2). She was fourth in her season debut, the Rachel Alexandra (G3) at Fair Grounds, after a slow start.

Lovely Maria (Majesticperfection) and West Coast Belle (Tapit), second and sixth, respectively, in the Rachel Alexandra, return for the Ashland. Lovely Maria has been first or second in all five outings conducted on a fast track, while West Coast Belle seeks to fare better than what she showed in two starts at Fair Grounds over the winter. She won two stakes at Churchill Downs last fall, including the Golden Rod (G2).

Completing the field are Forward Gal (G2) runner-up Lassofthemohicans (Indian Charlie), fifth in the Davona Dale (G2) last time; New York-bred stakes winner Temper Mint Patty (Congrats); and maiden winner Silverpocketsfull (Indian Charlie).

The $350,000 Madison (G1), a seven-furlong dash for fillies and mares, marks the season debut of Stopchargingmaria (Tale of the Cat). One of the more accomplished three-year-old fillies in the country last season, with consecutive wins in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), and Alabama (G1), she ended her campaign with a distant second to older mares in the Beldame (G1).

Stopchargingmaria makes her four-year-old debut in the Madison (Maryland Jockey Club/Jim McCue) Other notables include Lady Sabelia (Majestic Warrior), a winner of four straight including the Barbara Fritchie H. (G2) at Laurel; Barbara Fritchie and Go for Wand H. (G3) runner-up Princess Violet (Officer); Santa Monica (G2) heroine Sam's Sister (Brother Derek), fourth in the Barbara Fritchie; and Grade 3 winner Wedding Toast (Street Sense), third in the Rampart (G3) last time. The $300,000 Commonwealth (G3) for older horses at seven furlongs features Grade 2 veteran Bourbon Courage (Lion Heart), fourth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and third in the Cigar Mile (G1) last fall. The six-year-old was buried on the inside last out in the General George H. (G3) at Laurel and was a non-factor. Invading from the West Coast is Grade 2 winner Kobe's Back (Flatter), a close second in the San Carlos (G2) most recently. Also in with a chance are Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (G3) victor C. Zee (Elusive Bluff); last year's Iowa Derby (G3) winner Jessica's Star (Magna Graduate); the capable Rocket Time (Tiz Wonderful), a sharp winner of the Tenacious H. at Fair Grounds two back; and I Got It All (Tiz Wonderful), a course-and-distance allowance winner at last year's fall meet.

Undrafted (Purim), owned by NFL star Wes Welker and trained by Wesley Ward, is the star attraction of the $125,000 Shakertown (G3) at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. After taking the Jaipur (G3) at Belmont last June, the gelding was a respectable fourth in the July Cup (Eng-G1) at Newmarket and later missed by a half-length in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Undrafted will have to overcome the far outside post in the field of 13.

Australian import Power Alert (Alert) is two-for-two since arriving in America, most recently taking the $75,000 Silks Run at Gulfstream over Amelia's Wild Ride (D'wildcat), the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint winner with whom he renews acquaintance in the Shakertown.

Something Extra (Indian Charlie), a multiple Grade 2 winner in Canada, has placed in two prior starts over the course, including a neck loss in the 2014 Shakertown. Another threat is Tightend Touchdown (Pure Precision), a multiple winner of the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Penn National and past runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Also in the lineup is Zee Bros, a course-and-distance allowance winner in October who later claimed the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel. The D. Wayne Lukas charge has placed in one of three outings so far this year.

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