Ashland Winner Speech Returns to Worktab

Speech, winner of the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland last summer, recorded her first breeze of 2021 with three furlongs in :37 Feb. 11 at Santa Anita Park.

One of the leading 3-year-old fillies of 2020, Speech last competed at Keeneland Nov. 7, finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). That race followed her crossing the wire fourth in the Sept. 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), though she has since been elevated a position in the order of finish upon the disqualification of third-place Gamine for a medication violation.

Last year Speech won two of seven starts for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Stables, and Heider Family Stables.

She was one of two grade 1-winning females for trainer Michael McCarthy in 2020, the other of which was Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) and Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) winner Ce Ce. The latter, who races for Bo Hirsch, also has resumed training this year after a fifth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), though she has not yet breezed.

"We're looking at a race in early April for Ce Ce, maybe a little earlier for Speech. We'll see," McCarthy said.

The trainer is pointing La Canada Stakes (G3) winner Sanenus toward this year's Beholder March 13, a week after a potential start from Independence Hall in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). The latter was third in the Jan. 23 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park.