August 15th, 2009 Emerald Downs Race #1
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EMD 1 Washington Oaks
$100.000 Three year old Fillies Mile and an Eighth Dirt
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With no real track calendar of events this season, the running of the Washington Oaks always seems to be one of the highlight races here at EMD in August. Getting to the wire on top this season would be Freedom Hill's Last Drinks ( 9.20) who had to put it all on the line in the final half furlong to get up to win in a photo finish by a nose.
Picking this three year old black filly up for just $8.000 from Wolfs Den and bringing her along slowly in a minor Alw company and OpClm10 event prior to this race, proves that building confidence first in your thoroughbred will get the results when she makes the jump to the stakes level. Now with nine career starts, she has earned her first stakes title, and her fifth career victory. Dont look for her to make the jump to the Graded level just yet, as this trainer has a 18.5% win ratio at the stakes level, and she will probably try another stakes race at possibly a longer dustance. The Pines Stakes in early September at DMR could be an interesting placing, or if she is looking to compete against older, the CA Cup Matron at SA for California breds.
Runner-up would be Harrowden's Maid Of Honour ( 2.80) who stalked the front running pace until the far turn, then used her position along the rail to get to the front at the top of the stretch. Jockey G Mitchell did all he could to keep his filly in the lead, but a photo would show that the win was not to be on the day. Having two wins and two seconds in her last four outings, look for this one to visit the winners circles the next time out, especially if she drops to a mile event.
Third would be early pacesetter Pumpkin Racing's Bring It On Buffy ( 5.30) whose speed was used to try to steal this race from on top, and her trainer will need to shorten the distance or work at correcting her late fading ways.
The final minor share would be picked up by longshot Calebmans Racing's Matilda Lane ( 58.20) who was trying to comeback from a twelve panel event in just ten days, and her stamina in the final going definitely surprised this writer. She did win four straight earlier this year, and they came with at least some time off between events.
The final finisher would Jsl Racing's Gold Polo ( 2.65), post time favorite Angelos Stable's Red Twin Baby ( 2.35) and finally Thinken Stables Jackie Andretti ( 12.45) who this writer thought would finish better with the company she has been keeping of late.
Payout Prices
6- Last Drinks 20.40 8.00 5.00
4- Maid Of Honour 4.20 2.90
7- Bring It On Buffy 3.50
$1 Exa ( 6-4) 49.00 $1 Tri ( 6-4-7) 406.20
From Trackside
I'm Mc.D.
