Next move unclear for Oaks winner Sharla Rae

DEL MAR, Calif. – The upset win by Sharla Rae in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on turf Saturday has left trainer Doug O’Neill temporarily without a plan.

On Sunday, O’Neill said he was unsure what race to try in the short term with Sharla Rae, who won her fourth stakes but first graded stakes in the $300,750 Del Mar Oaks as a 6-1 shot. O’Neill said he plans to discuss options with owners Gary Barber, Niles Brous, and Adam Wachtel.

Whether Sharla Rae is entered in leading stakes for 3-year-old fillies or against fillies and mares, she may be challenged by Her Emmynency or Prize Exhibit, who were second and third in the Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles.

Her Emmynency is a candidate for the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf Oct. 10 at Keeneland on Oct. 10.

Trained by Mike Stidham, Her Emmynency was only sixth in the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap here July 19 but was better in the Del Mar Oaks.

“We wanted to see how she ran before making any plans,” Stidham said.

Prize Exhibit was third as the 7-5 favorite in the Del Mar Oaks, a loss that ended a two-race winning streak. She will not be on the sidelines for long. Trainer Jim Cassidy and owner Deron Pearson said they are aiming Prize Exhibit for the $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf Sept. 6, a potential prep for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.