Emily Upjohn gets chance to make amends in Irish Oaks

Emily Upjohn lost for the first time finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom Downs last month, but the filly lost absolutely nothing in defeat and is odds-on to land her first Group 1 on Saturday at The Curragh in the Irish Oaks.

Emily Upjohn faces seven rivals in the 1 1/2-mile Irish Oaks, and the uber-talented filly should love the vast, galloping Curragh course. She meets considerably softer opposition than she did at Epsom, where she was the best horse while finishing second.

Favored under Frankie Dettori in the 11-runner Oaks, run at 1 1/2 miles over Epsom’s unique course layout, Emily Upjohn slipped coming out of the gate, taking a few strides to recover and winding up last into the first of several bends, an especially tough spot for a filly who had galloped along on or near the lead in her first three races. Still just 10th coming into Tattenham Corner, which leads into the Epsom homestretch, Emily Upjohn was taken very wide by Dettori, who then sat chilly on his mount as she moved steadily toward the front.

On the other side of the course, Ryan Moore had saved all the ground on Tuesday and was hard at work on his filly, getting her into high gear while Dettori had yet to ask Emily Upjohn for her best. When Dettori finally did, the filly delivered a massive kick. She caught Tuesday a stride before the wire and quickly was past her after the finish, but Tuesday got the most favorable of head bobs and won the Oaks.

Nashwa, more than three lengths behind the top two, strongly validated the Oaks form, returning to win the Group 1 Prix de Diane, France’s Oaks. John and Thady Gosden train Nashwa as well as Emily Upjohn, a scopey Sea The Stars filly who on Saturday can burnish her credentials as a contender for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.

Magical Lagoon is the only other Irish Oaks entrant priced at single-digit win odds by British bookmakers, and even at her best she’s likely to find Emily Upjohn too much horse.

Desert Crown misses work

Desert Crown, the impressive Epsom Derby winner, probably won’t make an intended start against older foes and 3-year-old rival Westover in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on July 23 at Ascot. Desert Crown missed a scheduled workout Thursday after suffering what his connections deemed a minor setback. Desert Crown hasn’t raced since winning the June 4 Derby for trainer Michael Stoute.