West Point Thoroughbreds et al’s JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE (Dixie Union) blew past
Frolic’s Dream (Smoke Glacken) at the top of the lane and powered home a
convincing 3 3/4-length winner of the $150,000
Davona Dale S. (G2) at Gulfstream
Park on Sunday. Tracking in third through a half-mile under Alan Garcia, the Kiaran McLaughlin
charge inched closer as the field approached the final turn, was up a head when
getting six furlongs in 1:12 2/5, then made quick work of the pacesetter through
the stretch to finalize one mile over the fast track in 1:37 3/5. Sent postward as
the 5-2 second choice, Justwhistledixie returned $7.40, $4.20 and $3.20 while
topping the $81 exacta, $254 trifecta and $669.40 superfecta (7-8-4-5).
Casanova Move (Langfuhr) was wide while within striking range to the stretch
and finished seven lengths clear in second at 15-1. The runner-up gave back $12
and $6.60. Frolic’s Dream, the 9-5 favorite, was under restraint
while on the lead through fractions of :24 2/5 and :47 1/5 and tired late. The third-place finisher was 4 3/4 lengths of
her nearest foe while giving back $2.80. Renda (Medaglia d’Oro), the nearly 4-1
third choice, could do no better than fourth and was trailed by C. S. Silk (Medaglia
D’oro), Shared Account (Plesantly Perfect) and Step Out Smartly (Came Home).
Hopeful Image (Gulch) and Stage Trick (Distorted Humor) were withdrawn.
Justwhistledixie ran her win streak to four with this rout, which was
preceded by daylight tallies in the Love Affair S. and Ruthless S., both coming
at Aqueduct. The Kentucky-bred improved her career line to 6-4-0-2, $217,927
with the win.
The winner was bred by Hermitage Farm and brought the gavel down at $425,000
at the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling sale. She is the third foal out of the
winning General Jeanne (Honour and Glory) and is a half-sister to 2006 Saratoga
Special S. (G2) victor Chace City (Carson City). General Jeanne is also
responsible for an unnamed two-year-old colt by Pleasantly Perfect and an
unnamed yearling colt by Mineshaft. This is the same family as multiple Grade 2
hero Smooth Air (Smooth Jazz).