Monomoy Girl, the Champion Three Year Old Filly of 2018, returned to graded stakes company just as she left it in 2018: with a win.

Shipping up to New York for the G2 Ruffian, Monomoy Girl faced a short field after crushing a group of allowance horses at Churchill Downs in May. Away from the gate in good order, she sat just off the quick pace being set by Mother Mother before inhaling that foe around the far turn. Monomoy Girl took it from there, cruising to an easy two length victory and earning a career best Ragozin figure of 4 3/4 and Beyer Speed Figure of 104 for owners Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables.

At Keeneland, recent private acquisition Speech trounced her rivals to take the G1 Ashland for owner Madaket Stables, who joined original owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners before her 2nd place finish in the G2 Santa Anita Oaks. Sitting just off the tempo, Speech strolled past pacesetter Venetian Harbor to record an easy three length win. The three year old daughter of Mr Speaker accumulated 100 Kentucky Oaks points for the win and looks to head towards Churchill Downs as one of the favorites on the first Friday in September.