Chamrousse can do

ELMONT, N.Y. - Most of the fillies entered in the $350,000 Coaching Club American Oaks probably won't have to run 1 1/2 miles again in their careers.

But on Saturday at Belmont Park, that's precisely what the seven horses in the Grade 1 CCA Oaks, which lacks the stars of the 3-year-old filly division, must do.

The likely favorite is Chamrousse, the Mother Goose runner-up. Chamrousse's trainer, Niall O'Callaghan, has been pointing the daughter of Peaks and Valleys to the CCA Oaks since she won the Black-Eyed Susan by 2 1/4 lengths in May.

O'Callaghan, who won the CCA Oaks in 1999 with On a Soapbox, said Chamrousse possesses a running style that is suitable for a marathon race.

"She stays on well," O'Callaghan said. "Traveling a mile and a half, I tend to expect she'll keep at it late."

O'Callaghan said Chamrousse likely will be in a stalking position, but wouldn't be surprised if she was on the pace, like she was in the Black-Eyed Susan.

Jerry Bailey, shooting for his fourth CCA Oaks victory, rides Chamrousse, who drew post 7.

The only horse in the field with experience at the distance is Linda Eder, who won a 1 1/2-mile optional claimer on the turf against older fillies at Hollywood last month. Linda Eder's two career wins have come on grass.

"She trains quite well on dirt and I think she can get the trip on the dirt," said Linda Eder's trainer, David Hofmans.

Shop Till You Drop, also entered in Saturday's $250,000 Delaware Oaks, is expected to run here, according to the racing office. Shop Till You Drop ran second in the Black-Eyed Susan after an early tussle with Chamrousse.

Trainer Todd Pletcher won the CCA Oaks last year with Tweedside, who won the Sands Point in her previous start. Pletcher is hoping the same itinerary works with Tarnished, fourth in this year's Sands Point.

"It's more than a hunch than anything, but she gives the impression she might handle the distance," Pletcher said.

Jaramar Rain, a daughter of Thunder Gulch, out of a Risen Star mare, has the pedigree to get the distance.

"She's by a Belmont winner, out of a mare who is by a Belmont winner," Jaramar Rain's trainer, Rusty Arnold, said. "The distance shouldn't be a question for her."

Jilbab, who won a mile first-level allowance by 13 1/4 lengths on June 16, earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest in this field.

Sister Girl Blues completes the field.

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