Kitten's Dumplings Likely Favorite in Del Mar Oaks

Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Kitten’s Dumplings, a winner of three consecutive stakes in the East, will take on nine rivals Saturday in the championship event of the Del Mar season for three-year-old fillies, the Grade I $300,000 Del Mar Oaks at a mile and one-eighth on grass.

Kitten’s Dumplings, a daughter of Kitten’s Joy bred by the Ramseys in Kentucky, is the likely favorite under jockey Mike Smith after victories in the Edgewood and Regret at Churchill Downs and, most recently, the Lake George at Saratoga.

Leading the opposition will be Glen Hill Farm’s Wishing Gate, winner of the San Clemente Handicap July 21; the Ramseys’ Emotional Kitten, beaten just a half-length by Emollient in the Grade I American Oaks at Betfair Hollywood Park; Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ Doinghardtimeagain, a disappointment when fourth at odds-on in the restricted Fleet Treat but an earlier winner of the Hollywood Oaks, and Patricia Generazio’s Discreet Marq, a winner of two stakes over the Belmont Park turf for trainer Christophe Clement. The latter won the 2007 Del Mar Oaks with another invader from the East, Rutherienne.

Other entrants in a strong line-up of fillies are Sarach, Charlie Em, Need You Now, Pearlside and Unusual Way. On the also-eligible list is Ighraa.