JODY’S PRIDE BREEZES TOWARD FRIDAY’S CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND 

Parkland Thoroughbreds and Sportsmen Stable’s Jody’s Pride, who figures to be one of the favorites for the $600,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) on Friday’s opening day of the Spring Meet, got a feel for the main track at Keeneland Saturday morning by working 5 furlongs in company in 1:01.40 for trainer Jorge Abreu. 

“It was a good work, and I had her going 48 and 2 for the half and out in 1:01 and change with a nice gallop-out,” Abreu said. 

Jody’s Pride has won three of four races. She was second by a neck behind eventual champion Just F Y I in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita in November. 

Following a short vacation, Jody’s Pride returned to training in Florida before starting her 2024 campaign with a 2¼-length victory in the Busher (L) at Aqueduct on March 2. Instead of remaining in New York for the $200,000 Gazelle (G3) on April 6, Abreu brought Jody’s Pride to Keeneland last Monday. 

“I wanted to get her a work over the track and (the Ashland) is more money,” Abreu said. “Now we need a good post and a little luck. Everybody needs luck.” 

The Central Bank Ashland is the first Grade 1 race of the year for 3-year-old fillies and offers 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Held May 3 at Churchill Downs, the Oaks is limited to the top 14 point earners; Jody’s Pride ranks second. 

Abreu said plans are to remain at Keeneland for at least two weeks after the Central Bank Ashland and then go to Churchill for her final pre-Oaks work over the track there.