High-class Irish filly shipping in for the American Oaks
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"She trotted one circuit and cantered one circuit," said Bobby Dolan, head traveling lad for trainer Dermot Weld. "That's all she needed. She's very fit."
Carribean Sunset made her last start in the Group I Coronation Stakes at Ascot in England June 20 and finished third. "We took her back to Ireland after the race," said Dolan. "Then to start the trip here, we shipped her to France. She cantered there at Lamorlaye before a seven-hour drive to Amsterdam and a 10½-hour flight here to LAX.
"That was always the plan: two gallops before this race," said Dolan after Carribean Sunset completed the second. "She has been eating and drinking regularly."
Dolan drew parallels between Carribean Sunset and Dimitrova, another Irish invader who won the 2003 American Oaks for Weld. "They both ran well in the Irish Guineas, although Carribean Sunset might be a little bigger," said Dolan. "This one took one step forward in the Coronation. She was fourth and fifth throughout and finished strong and was perhaps a bit unlucky not to be second."
Carribean Sunset, an Irish-bred filly by Danehill Dancer out of the Royal Academy mare Bonheur, won two Group 3 races in Ireland this spring, the Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial and the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial.
Weld is no stranger to success here. Dolan accompanied Grey Swallow when Weld shipped him to win the 2006 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap on the turf. He also won The Matriarch with Dress To Thrill in 2002 under Patrick Smullen, who has the call on Carribean Sunset, whom he has ridden in six of her nine starts. Weld will be here to saddle the filly
Carribean Sunset made her last start in the Group I Coronation Stakes at Ascot in England June 20 and finished third. "We took her back to Ireland after the race," said Dolan. "Then to start the trip here, we shipped her to France. She cantered there at Lamorlaye before a seven-hour drive to Amsterdam and a 10½-hour flight here to LAX.
"That was always the plan: two gallops before this race," said Dolan after Carribean Sunset completed the second. "She has been eating and drinking regularly."
Dolan drew parallels between Carribean Sunset and Dimitrova, another Irish invader who won the 2003 American Oaks for Weld. "They both ran well in the Irish Guineas, although Carribean Sunset might be a little bigger," said Dolan. "This one took one step forward in the Coronation. She was fourth and fifth throughout and finished strong and was perhaps a bit unlucky not to be second."
Carribean Sunset, an Irish-bred filly by Danehill Dancer out of the Royal Academy mare Bonheur, won two Group 3 races in Ireland this spring, the Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial and the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial.
Weld is no stranger to success here. Dolan accompanied Grey Swallow when Weld shipped him to win the 2006 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap on the turf. He also won The Matriarch with Dress To Thrill in 2002 under Patrick Smullen, who has the call on Carribean Sunset, whom he has ridden in six of her nine starts. Weld will be here to saddle the filly
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CORONATION Stakes third Carribean Sunset leads a decent European team in the American Oaks, highlight of a day featuring five Grade 1s spread across three tracks.
Hollywood Park hosts three of them, and of most interest to European eyes is the American Oaks, won by Carribean Sunset's trainer Dermot Weld in 2003 with Dimitrova. On Saturday night, his representative is 4-1 second favourite with Coral for the $750,000 event, where she is joined by Zaskar and Annie Skates from Britain and Satan's Circus from France.
Weld said: She had a long journey getting here but she seems to have travelled well. She has been very consistent and we are hoping for another good performance from her.
Although the American Oaks is merely one of many US Oaks, the 1m2f invitational contest at Hollywood Park is the most prestigious of its kind on turf.
John Egan rides Annie Skates, making her second trip to the US after finishing runner-up in a Listed race on the Breeders' Cup undercard.
It's good to firm at Hollywood Park, and that will be fine for her, said Jane Chapple-Hyam.
She's a tough filly who sits off the pace and I'm expecting a bold showing from her; she'll give them all a good run for their money.
Zaskar, winner of three out of five for Lambourn-based Tom Dascombe, will stay in the States after Saturday night's race.
Leading the home team, and 100-30 favourite with Coral, is Kentucky Oaks third Pure Clan.
American Oaks
Coral: 100-30 Pure Clan, 4 Carribean Sunset, 5 Satan's Circus, 8 Raw Silk, 9 Bel Air Sizzle, 10 Annie Skates, My Baby Baby, 14 Missit, Clearly Foxy, 20 Backseat Rhythm, Magical Fantasy, 25 Zaskar