Eclatante improving going long

AUBURN, Wash. - Eclatante, fresh off a highly creditable third in the $100,000 Washington Oaks, will head a field of six 3-year-old fillies in Sunday's top offering at Emerald Downs, a second-level allowance at one mile.

Eclatante, a homebred daughter of In Excess, has been no worse than third in four starts this year while boosting her Beyers in every outing. She has been especially sharp since being stretched out to two turns, as she won an allowance race at a mile before finishing third, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths by the victorious Rivoltella, in the nine-furlong Washington Oaks.

Libby Creek is coming off an allowance win at a mile and may offer Eclatante her sternest opposition. Libby Creek, a Langfuhr filly trained by Howard Belvoir, went into her last start as a maiden after eight starts, but she woke up dramatically with the stretch- out to a mile and scored by a neck in a rapid 1:35.60.

Also intriguing is Victory for M'lady, who is still a maiden after three starts. Like Eclatante, Victory for M'lady has improved her Beyers with every outing. And like Libby Creek, she should appreciate the stretch-out to a mile. She is a stoutly bred daughter of Belmont winner Victory Gallop from a mare by Stage Door Johnny, a champion grass runner known for his stamina.

Victory for M'lady is trained by Blaine Wright and will be ridden by Ricky Frazier at 119 pounds.