Ladyledue improves record to 5-for-5

AUBURN, Wash. - Ladyledue ran her record to 5-for-5 Sunday with a runaway victory in the $50,000 Irish Day Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs.

Racing around two turns for the first time, the daughter of Slewdledo led from the start, took the field of nine through moderate fractions and then pulled away on the second turn to win by 7 3/4 lengths in a stakes record 1:36.20 for one mile. Seeking Ema finished second, and Crocodile Tuff was third.

Ridden by Ricky Frazier for trainer Bonnie Jenne, Ladyledue became the first horse in Emerald Downs history to begin a racing career with five consecutive stakes victories. She captured the Knights Choice and Diane Kem stakes as a 2-year-old, and won the Inaugural Stakes and the Federal Way Handicap earlier this year. She earned $27,500 on Sunday for owner Jon Sather of Manson, Wash., pushing her lifetime earnings to $121,761.

Ladyledue could be seen next in the $50,000 Washington's Lottery Handicap on July 19, the final major steppingstone to the 1 1/8-mile, $75,000 Washington Oaks on Aug. 15.