Winter Memories returns in Appalachian

One of the heaviest favorites on Breeders' Cup weekend last fall was WINTER MEMORIES (El Prado [Ire]), the regally-bred gray who entered the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2) undefeated off a 5 1/4-length waltz in the Miss Grillo S. (G3). Humbled at even-money into second place, two lengths behind More Than Real (More Than Ready), Winter Memories will seek to avoid a similar upset when facing 11 others in Thursday's $100,000 Appalachian S. (G3).

The Appalachian, a one-mile grass test for three-year-old fillies, kicks off the stakes action this week at Keeneland, where racing is shortened to four days due to the Easter holiday on Sunday.

Winter Memories was based in the barn of trainer Jimmy Toner at Palm Meadows over the winter and has turned in a lengthy string of works, including six between March 11 and last Friday. Assigned the services of Jose Lezcano and the co-highweight at 123 pounds, Winter Memories is out of Memories of Silver (Silver Hawk), who earned her signature win on the Keeneland turf in the 1996 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1).