Ashland

Well, ladies and gentlemen first Friday and Saturday in May are upon us and with them the time for the annual Oaks/Derby report. Senior Researcher Sue Andrew and Curator Eric Brooks have scoured the lists of entrants for both races and are now ready to unveil this year’s entrants in the female tail lines of Henry Clay’s horses. First the Oaks: you might as well spend Friday night perfecting your mint julep recipe because no Henry Clay horses are running for the Lillies this year. On the upside, you can take the two bucks you would have bet on a Clay entrant in the Oaks and double down on the lone Clay entrant in the Derby: Santiva (family 4-m, Magnolia through Maggie B.B.). As Santiva finished 9th in his longest start to date, I would likely quit doubling down at 4 dollars. Then again, anything can happen in a 20 horse field. You have to be in it to win it, as they say, and the Ashland Stud is represented again so GO SANTIVA!!