Rosalind, Room Service Inseparable in Ashland

Landaluce Educe Stables’ Rosalind and Gary and Mary West’s homebred Room Service could not be separated after a stretch duel to win in the 77th running of the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) for 3-year-old fillies before a sun-splashed crowd of 27,688 on Saturday afternoon at Keeneland.

The two fillies completed the 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:43.38 in producing the first dead heat in a Grade 1 race at Keeneland. It was the fifth dead heat in a graded stakes at the track and the first since the 2001 Valley View (G3).

Each filly receives 70 points toward the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 2 at Churchill Downs and a spot in the starting gate should they enter.

Longshots Istanford and Resistivity led the field of 13 through rapid fractions of :22.96 and :45.90 as Joel Rosario on Rosalind and Shaun Bridgmohan on Room Service raced at the rear of the pack. In the far turn, Rosalind made the first move six wide with Room Service a couple of lengths behind her and in the clear on the outside.

Rosalind took over at the head of the stretch but was soon joined by Room Service as they raced as a team to the wire, finishing seven lengths in front of Thank You Marylou.

Rosalind is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Broken Vow out of the Theatrical (IRE) mare Critics Acclaim. Second in last fall’s Darley Alcibiades (G1) here, Rosalind improved her record to 7-2-1-3 and increased her earnings to $558,036 with Saturday’s $200,000 check.

The victory was the first in the race for Rosario and second for trainer Ken McPeek, who won the 2002 renewal with Take Charge Lady.

Room Service is a Kentucky-bred daughter of More Than Ready out of the Old Trieste mare Dream Lady. Room Service has earned $336,565 with a record of 6-3-1-2.

The victory was the first in the race for Bridgmohan and trainer Wayne Catalano.

Rosalind returned $5, $4.40 and $3.40 with Room Service paying $6.60, $6.40 and $4.20. Thank You Marylou, ridden by Julien Leparoux, paid $4.80 to show.

Favored Testa Rossi (FR) finished 1½ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by Saturday Bliss, Miss Besilu, On the Backstreets, Candy Kitty, Seeking Her Glory, Resistivity, Istanford, Macaroon and Ireland.