Peace and War to Remain at Keeneland
Trainer Olly Stevens found himself doing some second-guessing following the last-place run by Qatar Racing’s Peace and War in Saturday’s $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1).
“I knew she was in trouble at the three-eighths pole,” Stevens said Monday morning. “I hate to admit it, but I probably should have done more with her and waited two weeks. That is why those guys that have been doing it for 50 years have got it down pretty good.”
Sidelined by a minor injury after her victory in last fall’s Darley Alcibiades (G1), Peace and War was beaten 17 lengths in her return to the races.
“She will stay here for now and probably have a work in about 10 days,” Stevens said. “We will discuss our options with Ben (Huffman, Racing Secretary at Keeneland and Churchill Downs) for Oaks Week.
“She showed a lot of speed (Saturday) so the Eight Belles is an option and maybe the Edgewood, which is the same day (May 1).”
The $200,000 Eight Belles (G3) is run at seven furlongs on the main track, and the $150,000 Edgewood (G3) is run at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Nominations for both races close Wednesday.
Stevens had hoped to pick up enough points in the Central Bank Ashland to move up on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard. However, Peace and War only has the 10 points she earned for winning the Darley Alcibiades.
“I doubt we will get in the big race,” Stevens said of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). “We are 30th and 16 horses would have to come out of consideration for the race.”
Source: Keeneland Association