Ashado Has Momentum

Ashado, the top older female in the country, will try for her third consecutive Grade I win today when she takes on seven opponents in the $400,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga.

The champion 3-year-old filly of 2004, Ashado began the new year with consecutive losses but has dominated recently. She won the Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park by three lengths June 18, then rolled to a 9 1/2 -length win in the Go For Wand on July 31 at Saratoga.

Owned by Starlight Stables and trained by Todd Pletcher, Ashado has won once in two starts at today’s distance, 1 1/4 miles.

Upset candidates are Two Trail Sioux, who could get loose on the lead, and Island Sand, who ended an eight-race losing streak with a decisive victory in the Delaware Handicap on July 17 at Delaware Park.

Race of the day: Cold Cold Woman, who was beaten by a nose when facing males in her Del Mar debut July 28, will be in with her own sex today and looks like the one to beat in the $75,000 CTT and TOC Handicap. Victor Espinoza will ride the 4-year-old Machiavellian filly for Abergwaun Farm and trainer Neil Drysdale in the 1 3/8 -mile turf race. Drysdale is also scheduled to start Secret Charm.

One for the road: Taffyville may be best as a late-running sprinter and should get plenty of pace to chase in the eighth on the opening day card for Bay Meadows’ 33-day fall meet. A.L. Gutierrez will ride the 3-year-old Vaudeville gelding for owner Paul Ratajczak and trainer Bill Anton in the $6,250 claimer at six furlongs. In his last start on July 30 at Santa Rosa, Taffyville, who has won two of 11, defeated Take The Helm, a winner in his next race.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using My Dancen Diva in the second, Stanton, Preachintothechoir and My Hikari in the third and Smile N Wildcat, Draw Off and Anthony Eats in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/79. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$467.20. Total money bet: $546.