Sarah Sis brings best résumé to Charles Town Oaks
Sarah Sis, a two-time Grade 3 winner this season, figures to be favored against five other 3-year-old fillies in Saturday night’s Grade 3, $350,000 Charles Town Oaks.
The seven-furlong Oaks is the richest of 10 stakes on a 12-race program with a special first post time of 5 p.m. Eastern.
Sarah Sis, whose graded stakes victories in the Honeybee at Oaklawn Park and the Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows both came at 1 1/16 miles, will be trying seven furlongs for the second straight time. Facing older fillies and mares, she set the pace until deep stretch of the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga three weeks ago, beaten five lengths by Unbridled Forever.
Chicago-based trainer Ingrid Mason said she’s confident the distance of the Charles Town Oaks suits Sarah Sis.
:: CHARLES TOWN OAKS: Get PPs, watch Saturday’s card live
“I think seven furlongs fits my filly really well, and two turns – she’s done them both,” Mason said. “She’s very small and very quick. She doesn’t have to be anywhere in the race – she doesn’t have to be on the lead. She’s very ratable. And once you get her in the clear, she goes.”
The stiffest challenge to Sarah Sis could come from Fusaichi Red, who comes back 13 days after finishing a troubled third in the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga. This will be her first start beyond six furlongs.
“She came out of the Prioress well,” said trainer George Weaver. “There are only a few more spots left for 3-year-olds, so it’s either this or wait for Keeneland, so we might as well take a shot. I’ve always liked my filly.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Sarah Sis (Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-81)
◗ She hasn’t won a race at less than a mile since clearing her first allowance condition going 6 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland last October.
◗ She concedes five pounds to each of her opponents as the 123-pound highweight.
Fusaichi Red (Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-86)
◗ She’s a question mark going two turns and seven furlongs, but her last three Beyer Speed Figures are all better than what the favored Sarah Sis has been running, and she’ll be a better price.
White Clover (Last 3 Beyers: 84-79-85)
◗ She finished second going seven furlongs at Keeneland in April and had the lead at the stretch call last time out in the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks going 1 1/16 miles.