Cinderella's Dream hard to knock ahead of Saratoga Oaks

Cinderella's Dream, who made a favorable first impression on an American audience with a rallying win in the July 6 Belmont Oaks (G1), is the filly to beat once again in the $400,000 Saratoga Oaks (G2) on Friday.

The Godolphin homebred daughter of Shamardal improved her record to 5-for-6 in the Belmont Oaks, beating returning rival Segesta by three parts of a length. It was a course-record performance, too, as she finished up 1 3/16 miles on the outer turf in 1:53.42.

Cinderella's Dream's only loss to date occurred against Europe's top three-year-old filly milers in the classic 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in early May.

"She's in great nick and she's done very, very well since her last run," trainer Charlie Appleby said.

William Buick is once again named to ride Cinderella's Dream, while Ryan Moore will also be in from Europe to take the mount on the Aidan O'Brien-trained Greenfinch. The daughter of Justify recently landed the one-mile Cairn Rouge S. at Killarney in Ireland on July 17.

Wonder Again (G2) winner Segesta fell short in the Belmont Oaks after setting the pace, tactics she might concede to Macanga on Friday. The field is rounded out by Dancing N Dixie and Kathrynmarissa, first and third, respectively, in the Tepin S. at Churchill Downs, and last-out allowance winner Movin' On Up.

Later in the card, Neat will go for his fourth stakes win of the year in the $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2), a one-mile grass test for three-year-olds. Neat previously captured the Texas Turf Mile, Transylvania (G3), and Manila (G3), a streak interrupted only by a midpack finish in the American Turf (G2).

Another to keep an eye on in the field of eight is Army Officer, a stakes newcomer who rebounded from an allowance loss at Churchill in May to win against a similar group on Belmont Stakes weekend over the Saratoga turf.