When Dovescry wins Oaks Elim#2

There were two eliminations for the 94th edition of the Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on the trot, with the first five finishers from each dash returning for the $500,000 final, which takes place on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 3).

The second elim saw Pocono Downs invader When Dovescry crush her foes in a lifetime-best 1:51.3 for trainer Rene Allard and his brother-driver Simon.

The daughter of Muscle Hill-Clear Dove was first over as Southwind Casha hit the quarter in a serious :26.4, then cleared to the top just after the three-eighths before reporting home an easy 3-length winner, scoring for the first time this year in four tries.

Southwind Casha was second, with Princess Deo, Miss Trixton and Sweet Chapter finishing third through fifth, respectively, to earn spots behind the gate for the final. Cloud Nine Fashion, a Campbell trainee, finished sixth as the 8-5 public choice.

When Dovescry returned $8.60 to win as the second choice in the wagering.

“We raced her easy in her qualifier and first three races,” said Simon Allard. “We have been shooting for the Oaks. Great work from Brandon Simpson, who works for my brother, and my brother. They told me that she’s been training super on the front end. I never put her on the front end yet and we did it tonight and they were right. You could put a glass of water on her back and nothing would spill, she trots so nice.”