Myrtlewood

Now undefeated in three starts, Echo Sound picked up her first stakes victory Friday when taking the Myrtlewood Stakes at Keeneland. A debut winner at Ellis Park in early August, the daughter of freshman sire Echo Town (by Speighstown) then wired an optional claiming field as the even-money favorite at Churchill Downs over this same six furlong distance Sept. 12. Friday's 3-1 second choice behind 5-2 favorite Trust Fund Philly Echo Sound enjoyed a near-perfect pace set up, stalking from third along the rail as a pair of leaders dueled several...

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S., the first Grade I of the year for 3-year-old fillies. First run in 1936--also Keeneland's first year--for 3-year-olds and up, the Ashland was named for the plantation home of Kentucky statesman Henry Clay. It had a predecessor, the Ashland Oaks, which was inaugurated in 1879 at the old Kentucky Association Racetrack and was a very different race. Perhaps it's...

If someone new to our business asked you to pick a single race in 2015 that might explain the passion that consumes us, you probably wouldn't pick the processional exhibitions of a first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. You'd show them the GI Whitney S. In a summer when hardly anyone will be able to renew the Saratoga pilgrimage, you may find the jolt of nostalgia too poignant to revisit the video yourself. But gosh, that was a horserace. Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song), flying just that fraction too close...