By Alan Carasso
D J Stable and Cash Is King LLC's Eclipse Award winner Jaywalk (Cross Traffic) turned in arguably the worst performance of her career when only fourth in the GII Davona Dale S. Mar. 2 and the gray filly will be looking to atone for that effort in Saturday's GI Ashland S. at Keeneland.
The $190,000 Keeneland September purchase rattled off four straight following a debut second at the Jersey Shore, including a 5 3/4-length tally in the GI Frizette S. Oct. 7. She led every step of the way to account for 'TDN Rising Star' Restless Rider (Distorted Humor) by 5 1/2 commanding lengths in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 2, but she looked very rusty when beaten a similar margin by 51-1 Jeltrin (Tapizar) in the GII Davona Dale S. on seasonal return Mar. 2. Trainer John Servis is willing to take the effort with a grain of salt.
“I was a little disappointed she didn't win that day, but the winner ran huge,” Servis told the Keeneland notes team. “When I am prepping for a big race off a layoff, the first race is a steppingstone.”
The winner of the Ashland has gone on to GI Kentucky Oaks glory twice in the last four years (Lovely Maria, 2014; Monomoy Girl, 2018). Jaywalk tries to become the first 2-year-old filly champion to win the Ashland since Silverbulletday (Silver Deputy) 20 years ago.
Restless Rider won this track's GI Darley Alcibiades S. in convincing fashion last October, but was just beaten by a better horse on Breeders' Cup day despite having every conceivable chance. The $150,000 KEESEP acquisition was last seen finishing second by a nose in the GII Golden Rod S. Nov. 24.
Chocolate Kisses (Candy Ride {Arg}) was no better than fourth to Restless Rider in the Alcibiades and dropped Julien Leparoux at the start of the Oct. 28 Rags To Riches S. before calling it a season The $410,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga buy overcame a wide trip to win a Fair Grounds allowance with a fair bit of authority Jan. 18 and most recently caused a 15-2 upset in the Mar. 9 GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn, with Bizwhacks (Fed Biz) third.
'TDN Rising Star' Feedback (Violence) would have taken her fair share of play stretching out off her victory in the GIII Forward Gal S. Feb. 2, but she will scratch from the Ashland in favor of Sunday's GIII Beaumont S., trainer Chad Brown confirmed Friday.
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