Swiss Skydiver to Run in Blue Grass or Ashland

Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver, the leading points earner on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, is set to race next week at Keeneland—although which race has not been finalized. In a June 30 interview with broadcaster Tom Leach published on YouTube by Keeneland, trainer Kenny McPeek said the Daredevil  3-year-old filly could run in the $600,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) July 11 or the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) against fillies that same day.

"Right now, nothing is set in stone. But we are kind of sniffing around at both spots and which direction we go—I'll probably wait till the day of entries to decide," McPeek said.

Entries will be taken July 8 for both races.

Swiss Skydiver is a three-time graded stakes winner this year, though she has not won a grade 1 race such as the Ashland. She is on a three-race winning streak: the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), the Fantasy Stakes (G3), and the Santa Anita Oaks (G2). 

McPeek told Leach that one factor to consider was that he plans to run Envoutante in the Ashland. A 3-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo , she has won two of her past three starts for owners Walking L Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm, including an allowance race at Churchill Downs May 29.

"So I've never been one that liked to go into a race and knowing you're going to beat yourself with one or the other. But they are two very, very good fillies—Envoutante is not stakes-tested yet, but I think she's that quality," McPeek said. "And you know the fact that we nominated Swiss Skydiver to the (Kentucky) Derby, plus she gets weight from the colts in this race. So there will be some weight shift that might be interesting."

At this early juncture, Keeneland publicity lists as many as 13 horses as potential starters in the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass. Art Collector, Attachment Rate, Enforceable, Mr. Big News, Shivaree, and Winning Impression are probable starters, and Basin, Finnick the Fierce, Hard Lighting, Man in the Can, Necker Island, Rushie, and Swiss Skydiver are deemed possible.

Besides Envoutante and Swiss Skydiver, Tonalist's Shape and Venetian Harbor are other leading 3-year-old fillies under consideration for the Ashland. Keeneland calls Alandra, Bayerness, Bonny South, Lucky Betty, Speech, and Tempers Rising as possible for the 1 1/16-mile race.

Keeneland's five-day summer meet, conducted without fans due to COVID-19, begins July 8 and runs through July 12. Limited owner attendance is permitted.

Complimentary race-day programs can be downloaded at Keeneland.com. The track website will also stream the races live, as will Facebook Live and YouTube. TVG will present live, on-site coverage on race days beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

Ten graded stakes worth $2,575,000 headline the short meet: four grade 1s, four grade 2s, and two grade 3s.