Mucho Amor hard not to love in Kent Stakes

It would be fun to see Mucho Amor and Summerland hook up sometime soon. The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred fillies tower over their rivals at Emerald Downs and Hastings.

Trained by Phil Hall, Summerland has yet to lose in Canada, and she received an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for her six-length romp in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap last Sunday at Hastings. Mucho Amor was given an 83 Beyer for her six-length blowout in the $50,000 Seattle Stakes on May 12 at Emerald.

Summerland is a proven route winner, and Mucho Amor has the pedigree to get a middle distance, so it is possible they will meet in the $50,000 Washington Oaks on Aug. 11 at Emerald or the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 7 at Hastings.

Until then, they figure to dominate their local divisions and there isn’t much doubt Mucho Amor will be a short price when she runs in the $50,000 Kent Stakes on Sunday at Emerald. The 6 1/2-furlong dash drew eight horses and goes as race 8 on a 10-race program that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific.

Trained by Blaine Wright, Mucho Amor was expected to win her first start at Emerald in the Seattle. She went into the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies off an easy win in a first-level optional claimer April 14 at Golden Gate and left the starting gate as the 4-5 favorite in the Seattle. Chalk players were cashing their chips in when she rolled to the lead at the top of the stretch with jockey Juan Hernandez in complete control of the situation.

The only glitch happened when Mucho Amor was reluctant to go into the starting gate, and coming out of the gate she didn’t get into a rhythm right away. Once she did find her stride, it was obvious on the turn she was going to win, and the only question was by how much.

She will break from post 5 in the Kent with Hernandez retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mucho Amor, by Mucho Macho Man

Last 3 Beyers: 83-75-54

◗ Here’s a scary thought for the connections of the other horses in the local 3-year-old filly division: Mucho Amor’s Beyers have increased every time she has run, so she probably hasn’t reached her peak.

Senoradiablo, by Flat Out

Last 3 Beyers: 33-69-64

◗ Trained by Manny Ortiz, she was overmatched in an optional claimer on turf at Santa Anita in her last start. Toss the race and she hasn’t been worse than second in seven straight races and has the most wins in the field with five.

◗ She does her best running late, and there will be speed coming back to her.