Casual Look wins Oaks

Andrew Balding's father, Ian, trained Mill Reef, Glint of Gold, and Diamond Shoal for one of America's premier horsemen, Paul Mellon. At Epsom on Friday, Andrew Balding produced a big race winner for another prominent American owner, Will Farish.

Casual Look, owned by Farish, a Kentucky breeder and American ambassador to Great Britain, won the $690,000 English Oaks, holding on by a neck from a very unlucky Yesterday.

By Red Ransom out of the Manila mare Style Setter, Casual Look got away at 10-1. Under Martin Dwyer, she was hard pressed to defeat the 3-1 Aidan O'Brien-trained favorite, Yesterday, getting the 1 1/2 miles in 2:38.09 on good ground. Hi Dubai, owned by Godolphin, finished fifth, 3 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

"I've had some good horses," Farish exclaimed after the race, "but this is the best one I've ever had."

Casual Look could go next in the Irish Oaks on July 13.

* Warrsan continues to improve with age. A Clive Brittain-trained 5-year-old, Warrsan scored his biggest victory Friday with a half-length win over Highest in the 1 1/2-mile Group 1 Coronation Cup.