Belle Hill dominates Washington Oaks

AUBURN, Wash. – Belle Hill cemented her status as the leading 3-year-old filly in the Pacific Northwest with a resounding victory Saturday in the $65,000 Washington Oaks at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Leslie Mawing for trainer Larry Ross, Belle Hill surged to the lead past the quarter pole and quickly drew clear. She cruised home to win by five lengths, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.11. Suva Harbor finished second after setting the pace. She was followed by Rustanova, Ambleside Park, Perhaps a Pie, Ethan's Baby, and Cup of Soup in a field of seven.

Belle Hill ($3.40) started as a prohibitive favorite on the heels of snappy victories in the one-mile Irish Day Handicap and the 1 1/16-mile Kent Handicap in her previous two starts. Her overall record improved to 4-0-1 from six starts with earnings of $113,220 for owners James Perkins and Mary Beth Holt-Perkins of Issaquah, Wash.

The couple paid $250,000 for Belle Hill as a 2-year-old in training last fall. Belle Hill won a maiden race at Golden Gate Fields in her second start May 2 before coming north to Emerald Downs. She has likely made her final local start for a while, however; the only remaining stakes event for which she is eligible is the Emerald Distaff, for 3-year-olds and up, next Sunday.

Ross and his wife, Sharon Ross, teamed up to win the Oaks for the sixth time.