McPeek will be represented in the 1 1/16-mile race this year by Walking L Thoroughbreds’ Shimmering Allure, who finished third in the Busanda Stakes on Jan. 24 at Aqueduct in her most recent start. If victorious, she will become McPeek’s fourth winner of Keeneland’s signature spring race for 3-year-old fillies and tie him with Racing Hall of Famer Woody Stephens as the winningest Ashland trainer. 

After taking his initial Ashland with Take Charge Lady in 2002, McPeek saddled Rosalind to finish in a dead heat for victory with Room Service in 2014 and won with Defining Purpose last year. 

This year’s renewal could have a similar scenario as 2023 when Defining Purpose – at odds of 20-1 – faced champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Wheel, who finished off the board as the favorite. On Friday, Shimmering Allure is 10-1 on the morning line. Her seven rivals include 2023 champion Just F Y I, who will be making her 3-year-old debut. 

“It is a similar setup,” McPeek said. “We put together a plan with this filly. We rested her similar to what we did with Defining Purpose, and we will be coming in to take our best shot.”

Shimmering Allure was part of McPeek’s New York division when she raced at Aqueduct, where she won the Tempted (L) on Nov. 5. She was second in the Demoiselle (G2) on Dec. 2 prior to the Busanda.

“I thought she ran a little flat in the Busanda, kind of reminiscent of Defining Purpose in her race before the Ashland,” McPeek said. “So we gave her more time to mature, and she has done that.”

Shimmering Allure will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. in the Central Bank Ashland and start from post 5 in the field of eight. 

McPeek could become the first trainer to twice win the Central Bank Ashland and $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) in the same season. In 2002, when he won the Ashland with Take Charge Lady, he sent out Harlan’s Holiday to win the Toyota Blue Grass.

His starter in this year’s Toyota Blue Grass is Walking L Thoroughbreds’ Lat Long.