Sent to post as the 6-5 favorite in a field of 10 sophomore fillies, Elusive Princess proved her dominance in Friday's Grade 3, $400,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational, powering over the yielding turf in the final furlong to complete 1 3/16 miles in 1:57.08. Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 3-year-old daughter of Japanese sire Martinborough (Deep Impact) saved ground in the first turn and angled out to fresh ground in the stretch run, galloping by her rivals with ease to win by about three lengths.
American Sonja (9-1) outfinished Papilio (7-2) to finish second.
Jean-Philippe Dubois is the winning trainer and breeder, while French-bred Elusive Princess is owned by LNJ Foxwoods, Ecurie Victoria Dreams, NK Racing, and Anthony V. Munafo. She came to the United States off a fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Prix de Diane preceded by a second in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary. Overall, Elusive Princess has won four of her eight career starts for earnings just shy of $400,000.
According to the Daily Racing Form's David Grening, Elusive Princess will remain in the United States to be trained by Arnaud Delacour.
Breaking from the gate under a rainy Saratoga sky, Elusive Princess settled along the rail near the back half of the pack to save ground along the first turn. Prat stalked the pacesetter Selenaia through fractions of :23.55 and :48.57, then worked his way up along the rail heading into the turn.
Joseph O'Brien trainee American Sonja made a big move to take the lead heading into the lane, though jockey Oisin Murphy allowed the filly to carry her Mark Casse-trained rival Papilio out to the center of the track as they straightened into the stretch. Those two battled fiercely, but neither was any match for Elusive Princess once Prat angled her even further to their outside for fresh ground.
Elusive Princess cruised by an easy winner, while American Sonja was game late to hold second over Papilio and Javier Castellano.
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