Meadowlands: Walner-sired fillies sweep Hambletonian Oaks elims

Venerable and driver Dave Miller made it look easy in the first of two $40,000 eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. The Walner-sired lass scored in 1:52 4/5 to guarantee a solid post position for the August 6 $500,000 final for sophomore trotting fillies.

Bare My Soul and Yannick Gingras blasted from post seven to loop the field for command at the outset. Miller waited for the smoke to clear and then marched to the front with Venerable at the 28 second opening quarter. The 4-5 favored Venerable got the respect of the drivers, as well, with a half in 56 2/5 before Manon moved to the outside past that call.

Miller kept the pace rated, hitting three-quarters in 1:24 3/5 and waiting for competition to come. Manon couldn't continue her challenge and Bare My Soul ducked inside to look for room. Andy McCarthy was fortunate to get out on the final turn with Yanaba, and that longshot hit high gear nearing the wire to snare the place spot, just a bit in front of Bare My Soul. Selfie Queen was between horses on the wire for fourth, with Manon the final qualifier.

Trained by Richard "Nifty" Norman, Venerable was a winner for the third time in six starts this year for owners David McDuffee, Melvin Hartman, Paul Bordogna and Steve Arnold. McDuffee is looking for back-to-back Oaks champions, having owned Bella Bellini last year.

"I think she'll be better next week," said Norman. "She seemed a bit sleepy in the stretch but then her ears picked up. She knows what she's doing."

Venerable returned $3.80 to win.

In the second $40,000 Oaks elimination Warrawee Xenia and driver Bob McClure avoided a breaker in mid-stretch and then flew the final eighth to catch odds-on favorite Fashion Schooner near the wire for her seventh straight victory and a 7-1 upset in a 1:52 2/5 mile.

Mon Cheval cut the early pace with a first quarter in 27 1/5, seating Raised By Lindy in the process. Tim Tetrick moved Fashion Schooner to the front before the half in 56 seconds and seemed well in control, cutting three-quarters in 1:24 2/5 with Pink Coco Chanel uncovered. Delilah Hanover had been second-over but broke in mid-stretch, causing McClure and Warrawee Xenia to shift lanes momentarily and bothering Baptism as well.

Undeterred, Warrawee Xenia hit a different gear in the late stages and made up ground with wild abandon in the 28 second final quarter. Fashion Schooner held on for second, with Pink Coco Chanel, Mon Cheval and Baptism following into the Oaks final.

A daughter of Walner, Warrawee Xenia is trained by co-owner Mark Steacy for his partners David McDonald, Dale Larson and Diane Bertrand.

"She showed a lot of talent last year," said Steacy. "Bob (McClure) did a great job and raced her right."

McClure was a bit more surprised at the result and looked for a better version on Hambletonian Oaks Day.

"She wasn't at her best tonight," McClure said following the race. "She struggled through the turn. You'll see a better version of her next week."

Warrawee Xenia returned $16.60 to win.