Blinkers could boost Mucho Amor's chances in Emerald Oaks

Trainer Blaine Wright is hoping the addition of blinkers will help Mucho Amor win the $50,000 Washington Oaks at Emerald Downs on Sunday. The 1 1/8-mile Oaks drew six horses and goes as race 4 on a 10-race card that begins at 2:00 p.m. Pacific.

The Oaks kicks off an all-stakes pick four that includes the Muckleshoot Derby, Emerald Distaff Handicap, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile.

It appeared Mucho Amor was going to dominate the local 3-year-old filly division when she won the Seattle Slew Stakes by six lengths. She also seemed to have the $50,000 Kent Stakes in her grasp at the top of the stretch, but couldn’t get past a very stubborn Alittlelesstalk in the 6 1/2-furlong dash. She looked like the winner when she opened up a clear lead in the Irish Day, but she started drifting out and then in, before losing the 1 1/16-mile race by a neck to Twirling Devon.

“She wants to look around, so we’re going to put cheater blinkers on her to see if she’ll be a bit more focused,” said Wright.

The Kentucky-bred daughter of Mucho Macho Man will break from post 5 with Juan Hernandez riding.

Twirling Devon, trained by Manny Ortiz, came from last to upset Mucho Amor in the Irish Day. She figures to be rolling late with Kevin Orozco retaining the mount.

Northwest Factor, last year’s 2-year-old filly champ, appears to be trending in the right direction for trainer Steve Bullock.

Alittlelesstalk is skipping the Oaks to take on the boys in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby, which drew seven horses.

The Roddina Barrett-trained daughter of Demon Warlock is coming off a fifth-place finish in the Irish Day. She went at least six wide on the first turn and lost more ground on the second turn. Despite the wide trip, she looked like a serious threat at the top of the stretch but understandably tired late.

She will break from post 2 with Scott Stevens riding.

“I am so glad she drew an inside post,” said Barrett. “That was a brutal trip. We decided on the Derby because the girls ran faster on the same day and she gets a break in the weights. “

The Wright-trained Rally Cat could end up favored in the 1 1/8-mile race.

After stalking a fast pace, Rally Cat held the lead in the $50,000 Seattle Slew before losing by a neck to Perfect Dude.

He drew the rail and should get a similar trip with Hernandez retaining the mount.

Speed will be provided by My Grandpa. The Tom Wenzel trainee held on well to finish third after forcing the pace in the Seattle Slew.

In the $50,000 Emerald Distaff Handicap, also at 1 1/8 miles, trainer Chris Stenslie is hoping for another good trip for No Talking Back, who upset the $50,000 Boeing Stakes on July 21. She was ridden by Scott Stevens for the first time in the Boeing.

“She had been getting too far behind and having rough trips in some of her previous races,” said Stenslie. “Scott gave her a great ride and hopefully she’ll get a clean trip again.”

The daughter of Flatter will break from post 2.

Paddy’s Secret, trained by Frank Lucrelli, may have moved to soon in the Boeing and could be dangerous with a well-timed ride by leading jockey Gary Wales.

Reginella will try to regain the form that saw her win the Distaff with Juan Hernandez riding last year. Since then her only victory came in the $50,000 Delta Colleen at Hastings in her next start.

“She doesn’t have any excuses,” said Wright. “She improved when we put Juan on her last year so we’re giving him another shot on her. Hopefully he can help turn her around.”