Grade 1 Winner Simply Ravishing Returns to Training

Grade 1 winner Simply Ravishing  has returned to training at Saratoga Race Course and will target an Aug. 4 start there, trainer Kenny McPeek tweeted July 3.

The specific Aug. 4 comeback race planned by her trainer is the $150,000 New York Stallion Series Statue of Liberty Division for progeny of New York-based stallions at a mile on turf. She is by the late Laoban  , who stood in New York at the time she was foaled, making her eligible to the race.

McPeek posted a video of the 3-year-old filly breezing on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga, her second work there since returning to his string. She went a half in a bullet :48.08 Saturday, and breezed three furlongs June 26 in :35.86, also a bullet. Saturday's move was fastest of 25 at the distance, while the June work was quickest of 14.

Simply Ravishing working 1/2 mile at Saratoga Oklahoma track. She’s being pointed towards August 4 3yo filly stake pic.twitter.com/IsblfnvK1a

— Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek) July 3, 2021

Winner of the 2020 Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) as part of a three-race streak that included a maiden win upon debut and the 2020 P. G. Johnson Stakes, Simply Ravishing was fourth in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Golden Rod Stakes (G2) to conclude her 2-year-old year. She only raced once as a 3-year-old, weakening after setting the pace to finish last of six in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) this spring at Keeneland. 

When fans on Twitter asked about the filly coming out of retirement, McPeek responded in further detail.

"We stopped on her after the Ashland and decided to breed her to Into Mischief, unfortunately she did not get into foal this spring," he tweeted. "Maybe too soon off the track. After some rest @MagdalenaFarm she had so much energy we brought her back. Breathing issue resolved too."

McPeek indicated in the spring she had a breathing problem which contributed to her running below her potential.

We stopped on her after the Ashland and decided to breed her to Into Mischief, unfortunately she did not get into foal this spring. Maybe too soon off the track. After some rest @MagdalenaFarm she had so much energy we brought her back. Breathing issue resolved too. https://t.co/k2rc1ldnDh

— Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek) July 3, 2021

Bred in New York by Meg Levy out of the More Than Ready   mare Four Wishes , a $500 rescue by Levy in February of 2017, Simply Ravishing was a $50,000 purchase by Lerner from Levy's Bluewater Sales consignment at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. Her earnings stand at $422,200, with three wins from six starts.