Percy's Bar Dominates Ashland Stakes

Filly earns Kentucky Oaks berth with decisive victory over favorite Zany

Apr. 5, 2026 at 12:31am

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Percy's Bar, a three-year-old filly, dominated the $750,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over the previously unbeaten favorite Zany. The victory earned Percy's Bar 100 qualifying points for the upcoming Kentucky Oaks (G1) and served as redemption after she was disqualified from a win in the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) last October.

Why it matters

The Ashland Stakes is a key prep race for the Kentucky Oaks, one of the premier events in American horse racing. Percy's Bar's decisive victory over the Oaks favorite Zany establishes her as a top contender for the Kentucky Oaks and provides a boost of confidence after her previous disqualification.

The details

Stuck behind a slow pace set by French Friction, Percy's Bar hugged the rail under jockey Luan Machado until a gap opened up approaching the turn for home. She then accelerated readily, leaving the previously unbeaten Zany unable to mount a serious challenge in the final furlong. Percy's Bar covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.72 over a track upgraded to good from sloppy.

  • Percy's Bar was disqualified from victory in the Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland last October.
  • The Ashland Stakes was Percy's Bar's first start since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) in November.

The players

Percy's Bar

A three-year-old filly by Upstart who has now earned 114 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points with her Ashland Stakes victory.

Zany

The previously unbeaten favorite for the Kentucky Oaks, who finished second in the Ashland Stakes.

Ben Colebrook

The trainer of Percy's Bar, who said the Ashland win helped take the sting out of the filly's previous disqualification.

Todd Pletcher

The trainer of Zany, who was pleased with his filly's performance and believes it will help her preparation for the Kentucky Oaks.

Luan Machado

The jockey who rode Percy's Bar to victory in the Ashland Stakes.

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What they’re saying

“I'd still rather have the Alcibiades, too, but it takes the sting out for sure.”

— Ben Colebrook, Trainer of Percy's Bar

“I thought she ran very well. I liked the way she finished, I liked the way she was gaining at the end, I liked the way she galloped out. She got a good education in it, got a lot of kickback, got some cover, a lot of things that I think will help her at Churchill.”

— Todd Pletcher, Trainer of Zany

What’s next

Percy's Bar has now earned a spot in the starting gate for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1), where she will look to build on her Ashland Stakes victory.

The takeaway

Percy's Bar's dominant Ashland Stakes win establishes her as a top contender for the Kentucky Oaks, providing redemption after her previous disqualification and positioning her as a serious threat to the previously unbeaten Oaks favorite Zany.