Princess of Sylmar much the best in CCA Oaks

Two-and-a-half months ago, a filly named Princess of Sylmar shocked racing fans with her 38-1 victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). That victory caused her price to plummet in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) this afternoon at Saratoga, but the result was still the same. With jockey Javier Castellano aboard, Princess of Sylmar drew off powerfully in the homestretch to win by six lengths at odds of 2.15-1.

In the process, Princess of Sylmar established herself as the clear-cut leader of the sophomore filly division, which has been lacking in leadership all year long. She is one of only two fillies in the country to have one two grade I races this year, the other being Kentucky Oaks runner-up Beholder, who won the Las Virgenes (gr. I) and Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) during the winter before going to the sidelines after the Oaks to get some rest.

Princess of Sylmar's victory in the Coaching Club American Oaks was achieved in a fashion that suggests she could be difficult to beat in next month's Alabama Stakes (gr. I). Content to trail the field early as My Happy Face led the way through fractions of :24.60 and :48.98, Princess of Sylmar began to rally on the far turn, and then -- with a simply explosive move -- seized command of the race turning for home and quickly opened up a two-length lead. From there, the race was over, as Princess of Sylmar cruised home under steady urging to win by six lengths in the time of 1:51.07, 1.26 seconds faster than the older mare Authenticity ran in winning the Shuvee Handicap (gr. III) earlier on the card.

My Happy Face proved no match for the winner in the final quarter mile, but did hold second by 1 1/4 lengths over Marathon Lady. Cue the Moon finished fourth, while Unlimited Budget -- the favorite at 1.20-1 -- trailed the field after breaking slowly and tiring around the far turn.

Princess of Sylmar is a daughter of Majestic Warrior out of the Catienus mare Storm Dixie. Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by King of Prussia Stable, Princess of Sylmar has now compiled a record of 6-1-0 from eight starts, with earnings of $1,007,220.

-Keelerman