No Flies on Doodle captures Washington Oaks

AUBURN, Wash. - No Flies on Doodle continued her fast ascent Saturday at Emerald Downs, racing to a front-running victory in the $75,000 Washington Oaks less than four months after beginning her career in a $12,500 maiden claimer.

Trained by Vann Belvoir for owner Keith Swagerty's Swag Stables, No Flies on Doodle ran nine furlongs in 1:47.60 and paid $2.80 as the heavy favorite in a field reduced to four starters because of injuries and ineffectiveness in Emerald's 3-year-old filly ranks. Ladyledue, a three-time stakes winner at the meeting, skipped the Oaks because of bruised feet, trainer Bonnie Jenne said, and other contenders fell by the wayside in the weeks leading up to Emerald's 3-year-old filly championship.

Point of Reference, second behind No Flies on Doodle in the 1 1/16-mile Washington's Lottery Handicap on July 19, again was the runner-up. She closed strongly to miss by a neck, with Lucy Got Lucky another half-length back in third. Crocodile Tuff completed the order of finish.

Jockey Gallyn Mitchell, celebrating his 47th birthday, rode the winner, who won for the fourth time in six starts and boosted her career earnings to $91,225.