NEWS
Justwhistledixie dominates in Davona Dale
Posted: Sunday, March 01, 2009 5:35 PM
JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE
Bob Coglianese photo
by Mike Curry
Justwhistledixie sprinted clear in the stretch of her graded stakes debut to post her fourth consecutive win with a 3 3/4-length score in the $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) on Sunday at Gulfstream Park.
The Dixie Union filly dueled for the early lead with 9-to-5 favorite Frolic’s Dream through an opening quarter in :24.48 but settled into an ideal stalking position in third under Alan Garcia through a half-mile in :47.39. Justwhistledixie powered past Frolic’s Dream approaching the quarter pole and shook free to a two-length advantage in early stretch.
Justwhistledixie cruised to the finish under a hand ride from Garcia to prevail in 1:37.67 on a track rated as fast.
"Ah, brother, she jumped out so well,” Garcia said. “We got up on the rail, relaxed, and did what we expected. She wanted to run today. She really pressed the express button in the last quarter-mile."
Casanova Move closed willingly under Jose Lezcano to finish second. Forward Gal Stakes (G2) winner Frolic’s Dream was another seven lengths back in third.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for owners West Point Thoroughbreds, Lakland Farm, and R. D. Hubbard, Justwhistledixie won a maiden special weight race by seven lengths in her third career start on October 13 at Belmont Park. She closed her juvenile season with a 3 1/4-length win in the Love Affair Stakes at Aqueduct on November 28 and entered the Davona Dale off a 3 1/2-length victory in Ruthless Stakes on January 4 at the Jamaica, New York, track.
"We left her up in New York early this winter because we thought she could dominate, but after she won the Ruthless, we felt she was good enough to come down here for graded stakes, which is what it's all about,” McLaughlin said. “I thought a mile would suit her.
“The timing of the Bonnie Miss [Stakes (G2) on March 27] would be good and then we hope to go on to the [Kentucky] Oaks (G1)."
Out of the winning Honour and Glory mare General Jeanne, Justwhistledixie is a half sister to Grade 2 winner Chace City. The winner of four of six career starts, she boosted her earnings to $217,927.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
