Omi, Hippie audition for B.C. Oaks in Hong Kong Jockey Club
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Where is Snuggles? The daughter of Rosberg won all four stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Hastings this year, but she missed roll call when entries were taken for the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club, which drew seven horses and goes as the fourth race Monday.
“She couldn’t be doing better,” said trainer Dino Condilenios. “We didn’t want it to be her third race in six weeks when she runs in the Oaks.”
The 1 1/16-mile Hong Kong Jockey Club is the final local prep for the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 10.
Condilenios could have three horses for the Oaks. Two possibilities, Omi and Hippie, will tell him if they belong in the richest race in the Pacific Northwest for 3-year-old fillies when they run in the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Omi looks the part. After finishing fourth in the $50,000 Emerald Downs at Hastings on June 12, she was an easy winner of a $25,000 optional-claiming race July 10. With Antonio Reyes aboard, she controlled the 6 1/2-furlong dash from the start and was in hand at the wire while winning by 4 1/2 lengths. This will be her first route attempt.
She galloped out strongly when she worked five furlongs with Christine Amman aboard Aug. 13.
“Christine loves the way she gallops out in her works,” said Condilenios. “She thinks she will be a better horse going a distance of ground.”
Omi drew the rail, with Reyes riding.
Hippie, who is coming off a win in a $25,000 claiming race July 24, will need to improve to be a serious factor.
C U At Eau Claire, trained by Greg Tracy, is the 4-5 morning-line favorite, but she still has to prove she can get a middle distance. In her most recent start, the $50,000 B.C. Cup Dogwood, she sat just off Chianti, another Condilenios-trained filly, but couldn’t get past her and settled for third. Despite a troubled trip, Snuggles got up in time to win the 1 1/16-mile race.
“It is nice not to have Snuggles in the race,” Tracy said. “My filly was pretty eager last time, but she drew outside of Omi, so maybe she’ll be able to relax a bit more.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Omi, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 67-65-69
◗ Her sire won the Grade 3 Premier’s going 1 3/8 miles, and most of her siblings are route winners.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Condilenios has a 28 percent strike rate with horses going a mile or longer for the first time.
C U At Eau Claire, by Haynesfield
Last 3 Beyers: 70-73-60
◗ The only stakes winner in the field is the class of the party.