Dogwood Trail, a debut winner at Gulfstream in May 2014, resurfaced to win an optional claimer in Hallandale Feb. 8. The chestnut filly was second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Taylor S (Medaglia d'Oro) in the Mar. 14 Any Limit S. and fourth in the Apr. 4 Sophomore Fillies S. Returning from a two-month freshening, she set a pressured pace before being passed late by the reopposing Huasca when second in the June 6 Tangelo H. last time out. Dogwood Trail was soon at the head of affairs, cutting out fractions of :22.88 and :45.50. Huasca moved to challenge the pacesetter at the top of the lane, but Dogwood Trail would not be denied and determinedly turned back that foe to earn her first graded stakes victory. “Last time they went head and head,” said winning trainer Stanley Gold. “This time, they backed off a little bit and she was able to control things. When Huasca came, I said, 'Uh oh, she's got a full head of steam,' but she had enough left. It was a good ride by Jesus [Rios]. It was our turn.” Looking ahead, Gold added, “We'll have to think about what's next. This one is graded, so that changes the picture a little bit. We try to stay home when we can, but the opportunities get limited during the summer, so we'll see what's around after this.” Dogwood Trail's multiple stakes winning full-sister Redbud Road was third in this race in 2012. Ladyinareddress, who was also bred and campaigned by Fred Brei's Jacks or Better Farm, produced a filly by Brooks 'n Down in 2014 and a colt by Awesome of Course this spring.
AZALEA S.-GIII, $150,000, GP, 7-5, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.12, ft.
1–#@DOGWOOD TRAIL, 117, f, 3, by Awesome of Course
1st Dam: Ladyinareddress (SW, $128,009), by Tactical Advantage
2nd Dam: Nizy, by Cox's Ridge
3rd Dam: Nizhanee, by Pago Pago
O/B-Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. (FL); T-Stanley I. Gold;
J-Jesus M. Rios. $89,280. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0,
$180,510. *Full to Redbud Road, MSW & GSP,
$297,930. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Huasca, 119, f, 3, Tiz Wonderful–Babyurthebest, by
Holy Bull. O/B-St. George Stable LLC (KY); T-Efren
Loza, Jr. $28,800.
3–I'm a Looker, 117, f, 3, Henny Hughes–Our Mariella,
by Victory Gallop. ($4,500 Ylg '13 FTKFEB).
O-Glenmare Farm LLC; B-Emilie Gerlinde Fojan & Bona
Terra Stud LLC (KY); T-Patrick J. Dupuy. $14,400.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.10, 1.50, 9.60.
Also Ran: Fond of Sarah, Sweet Swingin, Moment of Delight, Distinta, Warriorscmoutoplay, Joni Gail. Click for the Equibase.com chart, or the TJCIS PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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