Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables LLC’s Speech tracked pacesetting fellow OBS graduate Venetian Harbor (April ’19) down the backstretch in Keeneland’s $392,000, Gr. I Ashland Stakes on Saturday, then went after her on the turn. The pair turned for home on close to even terms, but down the stretch Speech was stronger, taking command a furlong from home and beating Venetian Harbor to the wire by three lengths in a track -record 1:41.26 for the mile and one-sixteenth.

    It’s the first stakes win for the 3-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Mr Speaker, a two-time OBS graduate. She was purchased out of the Summerfield consignment at the 2018 Winter Mixed Sale, then resold by SBM Training & Sales, Agent, for $190,000 at the 2019 March Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 seconds flat. Now 2-4-1 in seven starts for trainer Mike McCarthy, she has earned $353,840.

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