Servis Works Jaywalk, Lucky Lee at Keeneland

D.J. Stable and Cash is King's champion filly Jaywalk tuned up for an expected start in the April 6 $500,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) by working a half-mile on her own in :48 3/5 over a fast main track March 31 at Keeneland.

Working well off the rail under exercise rider Lucas Berticelli, Jaywalk produced fractions of :11 4/5, :23 2/5, :48 3/5, and out five furlongs in 1:03 1/5. 

"Perfect," said Tyler Servis, son of trainer John Servis. "She had her major work last week (six furlongs in company in 1:14 2/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida), and we did what we wanted this morning without much of a gallop out."

Jaywalk secured the 2018 Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly with dominating, frontrunning victories in the Oct. 7 Frizette Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and Tito's Handmade Vodka Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs.

In her 2019 debut, Jaywalk finished fourth as the 1-5 favorite in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) March 2 at Gulfstream Park. Sunday's work was her third since the Davona Dale.

"We didn't want her to peak too soon," Tyler Servis said of the first start back. "She is a light-framed filly like a lot of fillies from the Unbridled's Song line, and I think the heat in Florida got to her a little bit."

Jaywalk, from the first crop of the Unbridled's Song stallion Cross Traffic , arrived at Keeneland March 26. With the cooler temperatures, "she has acclimated well," Servis said.

Javier Castellano, who was aboard Jaywalk for her last work at Palm Meadows, is expected to have the call Saturday. John Servis is scheduled to arrive in Lexington April 3.

Also working for the Servis barn Sunday morning was Cash is King and Leonard Green's Lucky Lee, aiming for Saturday's $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2).

Working on his own after Jaywalk and with Berticelli aboard, Lucky Lee covered a half-mile in :49 with internal splits of :12 and :24, again well off the rail.

"Same as Jaywalk—perfect," Tyler Servis said, noting that Chris Landeros would have the mount in the Blue Grass.

Lucky Lee has not run since a seventh-place finish in the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack Feb. 2. Sunday's work was his fourth since the Withers.

"He's had a lot of two-minute licks," Servis said of Lucky Lee, who has won two of four starts. "In the Withers, he was just spinning his wheels. He was coming off a tight track in Florida, and that track was cuppy and he never got hold of the track."

Working for trainer Mark Casse Sunday was Debby Oxley's Chocolate Kisses, who completed her major preparations for Saturday's Ashland by working a half-mile in :50 over a fast track before the renovation break.

Working in company with 3-year-old maiden winner Furiously Fast, Chocolate Kisses posted fractions of :12 3/5, :24 3/5, :37 3/5, and out five furlongs in 1:03 2/5.

Chocolate Kisses returns to Keeneland for the first time since October, when she was fourth in the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1). She enters Saturday's race off a win in the March 9 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. 

"She ran well here last fall, and she has confidence coming into the Ashland off a win," said David Carroll, who is overseeing Casse's Keeneland string. "She needs pace to run at, and the Honeybee set up real well for her."