Grace Stables’ HOT DIXIE CHICK (Dixie Union) stamped herself as a star in the
making with a smashing 6 1/4-length victory in Wednesday’s $111,000
Schuylerville S. (G3) at Saratoga. Fresh off a track record-setting
performance in a maiden special weight event at Churchill Downs, the Steve
Asmussen-trained juvenile filly broke sharply from the rail, but was content to
closely track early splits of :22 and :45 2/5 over the good track before
asserting herself at the top of the stretch. The dark brown lass appeared to be
facing a stiff challenge from the rapidly advancing Beautician (Dehere) as they
exited the far turn, but she quickly spurted clear beneath a confident Robby
Albarado, passing the eighth-pole with a four-length advantage in :57 2/5 as she
continued to widen the gap on the way to the wire.
Hot Dixie Chick completed six furlongs in 1:10, giving Asmussen and Albarado
their second straight Schuylerville following the success of Padua Stables’
Jardin (Montbrook) last year.
“(Hot Dixie Chick) was running so fast the last time (:56.48 in her June 13
maiden win) it was good to see Robby have the confidence to let that other filly
(pacesetter Stormandaprayer [Songandaprayer]) go,” Asmussen said. “She broke
well and he took her in hand. We had high hopes coming off what she did last
time, but I need to see her do it.”
“I had a great trip, actually,” Albarado commented. “She broke really well,
put herself forwardly placed, which I anticipated, and then she rated off those
horses nicely. She’s a nice filly — very smart.”
Favored at 8-5 in the opening-day feature, the promising youngster returned
$5.30, $3.70 and $2.90 to her backers. Beautician, a good-looking debut winner
in her only previous start, was clearly second best as the near 4-1 second
choice, finishing 6 3/4 lengths clear of third-placer Cowgirl Mally (Gone West).
“She was handy and had a winning move around the far turn, but Hot Dixie
Chick was just too good today,” said Kent Desormeaux, rider of Beautician. “When
I let my horse go, I thought I was sitting on a winner. At the quarter pole, I
thought we had her, but Hot Dixie Chick had too much left.”
The runner-up paid $4.60 and $3.40, and the late-running Cowgirl Mally was
good for $4.40 at 6-1. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to Stormandaprayer, who
held for fourth at 39-1. The exotics totaled $22.60 (exacta), $89.50 (trifecta)
and $1,480 (1-10-3-12 superfecta). Wild Without Wine (Kela), Decelerator (Dehere),
Vivid Colors (Roman Ruler), That’s How I Roll (Speightstown) and Kinsolving
(Posse) rounded out the order of finish. Aegean (Northern Afleet), Franny Freud
(Freud), Sassy Image (Broken Vow) and So N So (Freud) were all scratched.
Bred in Kentucky by Santa Rosa Partners, Hot Dixie Chick sold for $340,000 as
a 2008 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August yearling and was purchased by her current
connections for $435,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida February two-year-old sale.
She’s out of Grade 3 winner and 2001 Prioress S. (G1) runner-up Above Perfection
(In Excess [Ire]) and counts a yearling filly by Speightstown and a 2009 colt by
Hard Spun as half-siblings.
“When asked about future engagements, Asmussen said, “We’ll check with
(owner) Barbara (Banke, wife of Jess Jackson). If we come out of the race well,
the Spinaway (G1) (at seven furlongs on September 6) will be a target for her.”