Elusive Princess gets away in soggy Saratoga Oaks

French import Elusive Princess reveled in soft ground in the $400,000 Saratoga Oaks (G3), which turned out to be the only turf race contested at a rainy Spa on Friday. The undercard races scheduled for turf were transferred to the main track, and the remaining turf feature, the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2), was called off when Saratoga’s final four races were canceled.

Elusive Princess was bet down to 1.35-1 favoritism in her American premiere for LNJ Foxwoods, Ecurie Victoria Dreams, NK Racing, and Anthony V. Munafo. Her odds reflected her Group 1-placed resume and her aptitude for the conditions, and she delivered in style.

Bred by trainer Jean-Philippe Dubois, who retains an ownership share, Elusive Princess was given a patient, ground-saving ride early by Flavien Prat. The bay settled several lengths behind front-running Selenaia through splits of :23.55 and :48.57, rather testing for a 1 3/16-mile race on this going. Selenaia was still in control passing six furlongs in 1:13.56, but she was a spent force turning for home.

American Sonja, one of a pair of Joseph O’Brien shippers, was able to launch a bolder bid than stablemate and fellow stalker Caroline Street. Taking over from Selenaia between calls, American Sonja was immediately beset by the wide-rallying Papilio. American Sonja charted a wider course for Oisin Murphy, brushing Papilio and floating her further out in search of a better strip of ground.

But by that point, Elusive Princess was about to gallop all over them. Angling widest of all into the stretch, and ending up nearer the outside rail, she sluiced 3 1/4 lengths clear in 1:57.08.

“She actually jumped better than I thought,” Prat said, “and she was traveling well, really handy. And when I had a chance, I thought not taking any risk, then the two horses in front of me came really shifting out, but I ended up fine. I was actually on the good ground, so I was OK with it.

“I was going to go outside, but I ended up being a lot wider than I thought.

“She handled it really well,” Prat added. “She won on soft in Europe and she was traveling well all the way around. I’m really pleased to win for Mr. Dubois, who’s probably known me since I was a little kid, so it’s great to ride for him and get a winner for him.”