Diva Ash, with Kent Desormeaux aboard, took the lead at the first turn and never looked back in the 26th running of the Edgewood on the Matt Winn Turf Course as part of the Kentucky Oaks undercard at historic Churchill Downs today.
The Dale Romans-trained entry and daughter of Tapit captured the $113,800 Stakes for Zayat Stables by a length and a half over Sassy's Dream and jockey Alan Garcia, covering the mile and 1/16 in 1:45.93.
"We thought if we could get the early lead, take it," said Desormeaux, who will ride longshot Holy Heavens in the $1 million Oaks. "But I tell you, she was pressured all the way from the half-mile pole. She had to run, so she was very capable."
Romans expected a slow pace and agreed to let Desormeaux take the early lead.
"It ended up perfect, because they were going so slow and he was out there. He just had too much horse left."
The win paid $9, $5, and $3.40. Sassy's Dream returned $9.20 and $5.40. Smart Sting and Javier Castellano returned $2.80 for show.
