Percy’s Bar finished off a massive move in the final turn of the Ashland, Jenny Doyle Photo
Keeneland Press
Hat Creek Racing’s Percy’s Bar, under a rail-skimming ride from Luan Machado, cruised to a 2¼-length victory over odds-on favorite Zany to win the 89th running of the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) for 3-year-old fillies Friday afternoon on opening day of Keeneland’s Spring Meet and secure a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Trained by Ben Colebrook, Percy’s Bar completed the 1 1/16 miles on a track listed as good in 1:45.72.
The victory in the first Grade 1 race of 2026 for 3-year-old fillies was worth 100 points on the Road to the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks, a race that is limited to the top 14 point earners that pass the entry box. Percy’s Bar has 114 points and is second on the Oaks leaderboard.
Runner-up Zany also earned an Oaks spot by receiving 50 points to boost her total to 80, good for seventh on the leaderboard with two races remaining Saturday: the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) Presented by Surfside and the Gazelle (G3) at Aqueduct.
French Friction led the field of six through fractions of :24.70, :50.37 and 1:15.24 while Machado kept Percy’s Bar along the rail with Zany in close contact just to her outside.
The pace picked up on the far turn and approaching the top of the stretch, Machado sent Percy’s Bar through a narrow opening and quickly opened a daylight margin on her rivals.
Zany quickly passed French Friction in the upper stretch but by that time, Percy’s Bar was long gone.
A Keeneland sales graduate, Percy’s Bar is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Upstart out of the Super Saver mare Honestly Deb. The victory was worth $459,188 and increases her earnings to $1,015,121.
The victory was sweet redemption for Percy’s Bar, who was disqualified from victory here last fall in the Darley Alcibiades (G1) for interference in the stretch. Friday’s race was her first start since a troubled third-place finish in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
Percy’s Bar returned $7.12, $2.86 and $2.24 as the second choice, Zany, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $2.26 and $2.10 and finished 3½ lengths in front of Star Actress, who paid $2.74 to show under Junior Alvarado.
It was another 9¼ lengths back to French Friction, who was followed in order by Omaha Bay and Hollybygolly.
Get your reservation for our annual Kentucky Derby seminar now! Details Here
