Installed as the 7-2 second favourite, the Yankee Glide filly Bar Slide will start from post position five in Saturday’s $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks final at The Meadowlands
.
Trained by Joe Holloway and owned by Fredericka Caldwell and Bluestone Farms LLC, the three-year-old trotting filly is a co-season’s leader by virtue of a 1:52.4 win on July 23 at the Big M.
Last week, after cutting the mile from post 5, Bar Slide finished second to the late closing Poof Shes Gone in her Hambo Oaks elimination. Her renowned conditioner, Joe Holloway, recognized that she was beat at the wire by “a good filly.” He added, “She put in a good effort,” despite the front end not holding up last Saturday night. “(Bar Slide) is peaking right now, I think she has a good chance.”
Entering the Oaks final just shy of $100,000 in seasonal earnings, Bar Slide’s schedule this week is somewhat more relaxed.
“We trained her hard last week so we did not train her this week.” The filly’s Showplace Farms-based trainer considered Bar Slide’s last two performances “tough races.” Mr. Holloway feels that in light of these strong showings, she is “coming into the Oaks in a good way.” Considering her sheer speed, Bar Slide is the only filly in the Oaks final that has trotted in 1:54 or faster in each of her last four starts.
(Hambletonian Society)