Washington Oaks could set up for Princessof the Nyl

Princessof the Nyl could feast on what will likely be a fast and contested pace when she runs in the $50,000 Washington Oaks at Emerald Downs Sunday. The 1 1/8-mile race drew seven 3-year-old fillies and Princessof the Nyl should get the right kind of trip in a race where they should be winging it early.

Five of the horses entered ran in the $50,000 Irish Day Stakes on July 1, with Diamonds R edging Bella Mia by a length in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Princessof the Nyl was making her first start at Emerald for trainer Mike Puhich in the Irish Day. After hesitating at the start she finished well, but never really threatened the top two. She did seem to be striding out the best in the final sixteenth, though, and with more real estate to work with she could get up in time in the Oaks.

Prior to the Irish Day she finished fourth in a first-level allowance race on June 8 at Churchill Downs. With more time to settle into her new surroundings and a sharp five-furlong move on July 15, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Pioneerof the Nile could be sitting on a big effort in the Oaks.

She will break from post 2 with Kevin Orozco retaining the mount.

Diamonds R received a heady ride by Leonel Camacho-Flores in the Irish Day. She broke sharply and could have easily gotten into a duel with Bella Mia. However, when a very rank Ima Happy Cat took up the chase, Camacho-Flores eased Diamonds R into a stalking position. When the rail opened up turning for home, she took over the lead and outfinished Bella Mia, who was game in defeat.

Trained by Tom Wenzel, Diamonds R signaled her readiness when she worked a bullet five furlongs in 57.40 seconds on July 13.

Bella Mia was stretching out to a middle distance for the first time in the Irish Day and she held on well after setting an honest pace under pressure.

“Before the race we weren’t sure about the Oaks,” said her trainer Blaine Wright. “We were encouraged with the way she ran, though. She got beat fair and square, but she did all the heavy lifting early.”

Wright will also be represented by Downwind, who finished fourth in the Irish Day.

“She didn’t run the way we expected, but we’re going to give her another shot.”

Ca Dreamer has started only twice, and she is coming off a front-running win going six furlongs in a maiden special weight race at Golden Gate Fields on June 3. She was entered in the Irish Day, but dumped her rider in the post parade and was scratched.

“We’re taking a shot with her,” said trainer Ed Moger. “She has talent, but lacks in experience. There is other speed in the race, but we’ll just let her do her thing.”

Ima Happy Cat, trained by Dan Markle, hopped at the start and then was rank in her first route attempt in the Irish Day. She has sprint speed and will likely use it from the rail with leading rider Rocco Bowen.