Zany looks to consolidate Oaks favoritism in Ashland

Mar 30, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Zany wins the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photography)

Triple Crown-nominated filly Zany will put her perfect record on the line in Friday’s $750,000 Ashland (G1) at Keeneland, where she can confirm her status as the favorite for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

A daughter of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, Zany has already won two scoring races on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The Todd Pletcher trainee rolled by 8 1/2 lengths in her stakes and two-turn debut in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct, and she stayed undefeated despite racing greenly in her return in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Suncoast runner-up Life of Joy has since come back to win the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), underscoring Zany’s lofty ranking in the division.

ZANY was lugging in some, but plenty good in the Suncoast S. and stays undefeated! ☀️

Todd Pletcher trains the 3YO filly and @iradortiz was aboard.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/0bbgrGM5WA

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 7, 2026

Her most accomplished rival, Percy’s Bar, was last seen finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). But her key performance came two starts back in the Alcibiades (G1), held over the same track and 1 1/16-mile trip as the Ashland. Percy’s Bar set the pace and crossed the wire in front in the Alcibiades, only to be disqualified for barging into favored Tommy Jo down the stretch. Based at Keeneland with Ben Colebrook, Percy’s Bar has been training sharply here in advance of her seasonal reappearance.

After a disqualification, the stewards have moved Tommy Jo to first place in the G1 Alcibiades at @keeneland! ✨🌟@ljlmvel was aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner @spendthriftfarm!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/rqX0jDFdWR

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 3, 2025

Notable newcomers to the Kentucky Oaks trail are French Friction, 2-for-2 so far, and Star Actress, a full sister to champion Just F Y I.

French Friction races for D. J. Stable, which bred Zany but sold her as a yearling (to Repole Stable). Trained by Mark Casse, French Friction began her career at Oaklawn Park this winter with a pair of dominating wins in sprints, including the Feb. 14 Dixie Belle S.

Star Actress shares the same connections – owner/breeder George Krikorian and trainer Bill Mott – as older sister Just F Y I, who was runner-up to Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the 2024 Kentucky Oaks. Unlike Just F Y I, the champion two-year-old filly of 2023, Star Actress did not race as a juvenile. She started out at Gulfstream Park this season, breaking her maiden when stretching out to two turns in her second try.

Nycon, who is cross-entered to Saturday’s Gazelle (G3) at Aqueduct, was most recently second in the Busher S. at that venue. Omaha Bay exits a fourth in the Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream. Hollybygolly has been competing over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park, where she was a close second in the Valdale S. before scoring in a one-mile allowance.

Offering Oaks points on the 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the top five finishers, the Ashland is scheduled for 5:16 p.m. (ET) as Friday’s ninth race. You can watch and wager on Keeneland’s eagerly anticipated opening day card at TwinSpires.com.