Needmore Flattery the clear class of Queen City Oaks

CINCINNATI – The biggest stakes event to date at Belterra Park will take place Sunday with the running of the $75,000 Norm Barron Queen City Oaks. A field of seven Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies will contest the 1 1/8-mile event. Needmore Flattery, from the Tim Hamm barn, appears to be the one to beat.

Key contenders

Needmore Flattery (Last 3 Beyers: 72-59-59)

The champion Ohio-bred 2-year-old of 2013 has won 8 of 14 lifetime. The Bruce Ryan and Blazing Meadows homebred won the Cleveland Gold Cup last out going the same 1 1/8-mile distance July 5 at ThistleDown. She earned a lifetime-best Beyer Speed Figure of 72. Irwin Rosendo will ship in to retain the mount.

She has a win over the track. On May 18, she won the $50,000 Tomboy Stakes locally going 1 1/16 miles.

She has three wins this year, all against statebred stakes company.

She won 5 of 8 last season.

Kelly’s Pride (Last 3 Beyers: 61-43-57)

She won the $17,000 Cincinnatian Stakes by 27 3/4 lengths in her last out. However, it was a match race.

She won a third-level allowance locally against statebred company two starts back.

She finished second to Needmore Flattery in the Tomboy locally May 18.

She has won 3 of 4 over the Belterra Park oval.

She earned the third-highest lifetime Beyer in the field with a 61 last time out.