Zenovit doubles up in British Columbia Oaks

VANCOUVER, British, Columbia - Washington Oaks winner Zenovit proved she is the top 3-year-old filly in the Pacific Northwest with a convincing 1 1/4-length win over Wando Woman in the $52,135 British Columbia Oaks at Hastings on Saturday.

Trapped on the rail in the nine-horse field after breaking a step slowly with Kevin Krigger aboard, Zenovit stalked a contested pace set by Dearest Princess, Notoriously, and Otero. Dearest Princess and Notoriously retreated after six furlongs and when Otero drifted out slightly on the stretch turn, Zenovit quickly opened up a clear lead in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Finality Philly made a late move to finish a neck behind Wando Woman for third.

“When I saw the little opening I took my shot,” said Krigger. “I didn’t want to wait to go around the horse in front, and when I said let’s go she responded for me.

“She was a little rank going into the first turn but she relaxed perfectly when we went past the grandstand the first time.”

Trained by Larry Ross, Zenovit paid $7.10 as the lukewarm favorite over Notoriously. The last horse to win both the Washington and B.C. Oaks was Ever lasting in 1996. She was also trained by Ross.

“We’ll give Zenovit the rest of the year off,” said Ross.

Final time for race was 1:49.88.

* Heavily favored Summer Song ($2.60) had to work harder than expected to win the 1 1/8-mile Delta Colleen for fillies and mares. Jockey Mario Gutierrez had Summer Song closer than usual in the four-horse field, and she wore down the lone speed, P. S. Touch Down, to win by a neck. The final time was 1:48.70.

Summer Song is trained by Troy Taylor.

* Pigtails came from off the pace to beat her stablemate Embankment by 2 1/2 lengths in the $52,940 Fantasy Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time with Isaias Cardenas aboard, Pigtails took advantage of the sprint-like fractions of 22.79 seconds and 45.76 set by heavily favored Overvalued, who tired to finish third.

Trained by Dino Condilenios, Pigtails paid $39.70 as the longest price in the six-horse field.

Final time for the race was 1:45.52.

* Wind Storm won her fourth race in a row for trainer Dave Forster in the $25,000 Derby Bar and Grill Ladies Express for fillies and mares. With Richard Hamel aboard, Wind Storm stalked the early pace and then took control of the six-furlong race when she moved to the lead along the rail going into the second turn. She was never threatened as she drew off in the stretch to win by 3 3/4 lengths over Smokin Danielle, who set the pace.

Final time was a snappy 1:09.72, just .28 of a second off the track record of 1:09.44.