Washington Bridge, Lilly Fa Pootz and U R All That I Am—all trained by Jerry Hollendorfer—received the three highest weights for the $65,000 Emerald Distaff, to be run at Emerald Downs on Sunday, Aug. 21.
Washington Bridge received 120 lbs. while both Lilly Fa Pootz and U R All That I Am were assigned 119 lbs. Also at 119 lbs. and high-weight among locals is You Me and Ema B, the Margo Lloyd-trained 4-year-old that is four-for-five lifetime with stakes wins in the Boeing and Hastings Handicaps.
Although winless in six starts in 2011, Washington Bridge has kept the toughest possible company while running in five graded events this year in California and Kentucky. The 4-year-old Yankee Gentleman filly won two stakes in 2010 topped by the Grade 2 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Lilly Fa Pootz began her career at Emerald Downs in 2007, was claimed by Hollendorfer for $16,000 at Golden Gate Fields in 2009, and enjoyed a tremendous 2010 campaign while compiling a 4-5-2 record from 13 starts with earnings of $212,870. The 6-year-old Gilded Time mare was sensational at Del Mar in 2010, finishing first in the Osunitas Handicap, second in the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2) and third in the Palomar Handicap (G3).
U R All That I Am is 10-for-27 lifetime with earnings of $425,882. A 5-year-old mare by Valid Wager, she has won five state-bred stakes races in California.
Hollendorfer, 62, has had great success in the Emerald Distaff, recording three victories and two third-place finishes in the last six years. Hollendorfer was accorded Thoroughbred racing’s highest honor Friday, Aug. 12 with induction into the National Museum Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Defending Emerald Distaff champion Kimmyv is among three runners assigned 116 lbs. The Hastings Racecourse-based 5-year-old is winless in four starts since her 10-to-1 upset in the 2010 Distaff. But she finished a good third against You Me and Ema B in the May 15 Hastings Handicap and is proven at the nine-furlong distance.
The Emerald Distaff at 1-1/8 miles is the season’s top event for older fillies and mares and part of an outstanding card that includes the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) for 3-year-olds and up, and an open $30,000 race for 3-year-olds and up at 6 ½ furlongs.
Entries will be taken Wednesday, Aug. 17 and drawn at the Longacres Mile breakfast at 11 a.m. in the Emerald Room (4th floor).
Weights $65,000 Emerald Distaff, 16th running Sunday, Aug. 21
Washington Bridge 120
Lilly Fa Pootz 119
You Me and Ema B 119
Rewritten 118
Sweet Nellie Brown 118
Zenovit 117
Dream Sweeper 116
Kimmyv 116
Waynetta 116
Hard Way Ten 115
Private Fortune 115
Daymaker 114
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