Morning Coffee's path to British Columbia Oaks unclear

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Morning Coffee moved to the top of the local 3-year-old filly division with an impressive win in the $50,000 Supernaturel Handicap on July 1. She was ridden by Pedro Alvarado, who said she just dragged him around the three turns.

What was impressive was the way she went three wide around the first turn while dueling with horses to her inside and outside. After emerging with the lead, she set quick fractions and kept rolling to a 2 3/4-length win in the 1 1/16-mile race.

“I really didn’t want to be on the lead, but she did,” said Alvarado.

She was making her first start for trainer Roseann Anderson, who isn’t sure what path Morning Coffee will take to reach her ultimate goal, the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 13.

“She came out of the race okay,” said Anderson. “She’s not a B.C.-bred, so there isn’t anything for her here until the Hong Kong Jockey Club Aug. 21. I might take her to Seattle for a race or just train her into the Hong Kong race.”

The next stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs is the 1 1/8-mile, $65,000 Washington Oaks on Aug. 8.

Anderson wasn’t impressed with Morning Coffee when she arrived at Hastings in mid-June.

“I thought she was a dead horse,” said Anderson. “She had no spark to her at all. It turned out that’s just the way she is. She’s just pure class. Nothing bothers her, and you can do anything you want with her. It’s hard to get her excited about anything. It was pretty exciting watching her run, though.”

Anderson was at Emerald last weekend with Dawselina, who finished second in a $50,000 optional-claiming race won by Camille. Dawselina is being pointed to the $75,000 Pegasus Distaff on B.C. Cup Day, Aug. 3. Last year, Dawselina won the B.C. Cup Dogwood when Alvarado was her trainer. He returned to riding this year after a two-year stint training horses.

Dawselina ran an interesting race in Seattle. She likes to be in front, but after breaking on top from the inside post, she was eased into a stalking position behind Camille by jockey Jake Barton, who was riding her for the first time. It looked like she was done and was going to finish last at the top of the stretch. However, she regrouped and rallied to finish second in the six-furlong sprint.

“Jake said he messed up,” said Anderson. “He didn’t want to get into a duel, so he let the other horse go. I was happy with the race, though. She got a lot out of it, and we learned she doesn’t need to be on the lead to run a good race.”