Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has nominated a trio of 5-year-old mares to the $65,000 Emerald Distaff on Sunday, August 18.
At 1 1/8 miles, the Distaff is Emerald Downs’ championship event for older fillies and mares and part of a stakes doubleheader that features the 78th renewal of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3). The 18 nominees mark a sharp increase from the seven nominated to last year’s Distaff, which was won by Horse of the Meeting Class Included in1:47.79.
Hollendorfer has a great history in the Emerald Distaff*invading for victories in 2005 with Secret Corsage, in 2007 with Gemstone Rush and 2008 with Lemon Kiss. This year he nominated Cathy’s Crunches, Lady Aspen, and multiple graded stakes winner Halo Dolly.
A 5-year-old California-bred by Popular, Halo Dolly is 15-for-31 lifetime topped by victories in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar and Grade 3 Wilshire Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park. While her biggest wins have been on turf, Halo Dolly is two-for-three on dirt.
Trainer Michael Puhich leads all trainers with five nominations, led by 4-year-old Evelyn’s Dancer, the top older filly or mare this season at Hastings Racecourse, and Blonde Fog, a 3-year-old who finished runner-up in the Grade I Hollywood Starlet last fall while with Bob Baffert.
Exclusive Diva and E Z Kitty lead the locals, and combined have won more than 50 percent of their career starts. Exclusive Diva, a 4-year-old, is 7-for-12 and has won stakes at ages 2, 3 and 4. E Z Kitty, a 5-year-old, is 10-for-20 lifetime and has won six stakes*three each at Turf Paradise and Emerald Downs.
$65,000 Emerald Distaff
1-1/8 Miles, 18th Running, Sunday, August 18, 2013
Horse……….Owner………..Trainer
Blonde Fog (3-KY)…Mark Dedomenico & Mike Pegram….Michael Puhich
Carrabelle Harbor (5-ORE)…Bar C Racing & Desert Rose Racing…Doris Harwood
Castinette Dancer (5-WA)…North American Tbred Racing Co…Michael Puhich
Cathy’s Crunches (5-FLA)…Mark Dedomenico & J Hollendorfer…Jerry Hollendorfer
Champagneandcaviar (4-KY)…Fleur De Lis Stables LLC….Howard Belvoir
E Z Kitty (5-WA)…..Highlander Racing Stables LLC…..Jeffrey Metz
Evelyn’s Dancer (4-KY)….M Dedomenico & N American Tbred…Michael Puhich
Exclusive Diva (4-KY)…..Northwest Farms & Debbie Paxton….Tom Wenzel
Gosailgo (4-BC)…..Graeme Hope…….Robert J. Anderson
Halo Dolly (5-CAL)…Hoeffflin, Hollendorfer, Todaro, et al…Jerry Hollendorfer
I Think So (3-KY)….M Dedomenico & N American Tbred….Michael Puhich
Lady Aspen (5-KY)….PRO Thoroughbred Enterprises….Jerry Hollendorfer
Lasting Rose (3-BC)…..E.M. Braithwaite I.M. Gorahst…..Terry Gillihan
Muchas Coronas (4-WA)….Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Pabst….Jim Penney
Royal Moses (4-WA)….Squatting Dog Stable & R G Warwick….Tim Harder
Saturday Nite Ride (4-KY)…M Dedomenico & N American Tbred…Michael Puhich
Stephanie Plum (5-WA)…..Mullens, Larson & Zenker…..H.R. Mullens
Wando Woman (6-BC)…..J. Dennis Spence…..Junior L. Coffey
