Jon W. Sather’s Ladyledue will seek to rebound from her first career defeat when Emerald Downs presents the 30th running of the $75,000 Washington Oaks on Saturday, Aug. 15.
A Washington-bred by Slewdledo, Ladyledue became the first Washington horse in nearly a quarter-century to begin a career with five straight stakes victories. A streak that ended for Ladyledue in the July 19 Washington’s Lottery Handicap when she bobbled at the break and eventually gave way on the last turn.
Trained by Bonnie Jenne, Ladyledue worked six furlongs in a bullet 1 minute, 12 seconds Aug. 8, and appears primed to make amends in the Oaks.
The Oaks at 1-1/8 mile is the meet’s championship event for 3-year-old fillies.
Swag Stables’ No Flies On Doodle (5-3-2-0-$49,975) led all the way in the 1 1/16-mile Washington’s Lottery and is rapidly improving for trainer Vann Belvoir. The Washington-bred by Storm Blast not only proved she could route, she also surprised many observers by taking the race to Ladyledue early.
Ivor and Jack Jones’ Point of Reference, conditioned by Frank Lucarelli, is a hard-hitting filly who should benefit from her runner-up effort in the Washington’s Lottery. It was the first local start for the Washington-bred Benchmark filly, and the nine-furlong distance should be in her wheelhouse.
Point of Reference was stakes-placed three times in California, including a nose defeat to Will O Way in the $100,000 California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields.
Doris Harwood, the leading stakes trainer at the meet, nominated the maiden Seeking Ema (9-0-4-3-$40,867) and recent route winner Where I Belong (9-2-4-0-$35,563). Harwood saddled Elusive Horizon to a victory in the 2008 Washington Oaks.
The weekend at Emerald Downs includes the 74th running of the $300,000 Longacres Mile, Grade III Sunday, Aug. 16, and the 14th running of the $100,000 Emerald Distaff.
Nominations for the 30th running of the $75,000 Washington Oaks
:
Nominee Trainer Owner
Crocodile Tuff Dan Markel Sue & Tim Spooner
Ladyledue Bonnie Jenne Jon W. Sather
Lucy Got Lucky Blaine Wright John and Janene Maryanski
No Flies On Doodle Vann Belvoir Swag Stables
Point of Reference Frank Lucarelli Ivor and Jack Jones
Seeking Ema (3-KY) Doris Harwood Northwest Farms LLC
Where I Belong (3-KY) Doris Harwood Coal Creek Farm
