Simply Ravishing Retired From Racing

Grade 1 winner Simply Ravishing, who weakened to finish last of six in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland April 3, has been retired from racing to become a broodmare, trainer Kenny McPeek said. Stallions currently under consideration for mating with the Laoban filly are Curlin, Into Mischief, and Tapit, the trainer added. A winner of her first three starts last year at 2, including the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, Simply Ravishing set the pace in the Ashland but gave way when challenged on the second turn and was beaten more than 19 lengths by Malathaat. That effort followed a couple of fourth-place finishes in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Golden Rod Stakes (G2) that wrapped up her freshman campaign. Following the Ashland, McPeek tweeted she had cooled out sound but was hampered by a breathing issue. "It's unfortunate. It's nothing major," the trainer said April 7, shortly after TVG first reported her retirement. "We just thought the right thing was to breed her and give her a chance to do that. And she's got every chance to do that. She's a gorgeous filly." A winner of $422,200 for owners Harold Lerner, Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing, and Nehoc Stables, Simply Ravishing likely will be sold at public auction in November, her trainer said.