Dogwood Trail leads to Azalea winner’s circle

Dogwood Trail refused to allow Huasca (red hat) past in the Azalea (Kenny Martin/Adam Coglianese Photography)

Dogwood Trail (Awesome of Course) wired Sunday’s $150,000
Azalea S.
(G3) on Gulfstream Park’s Summit of Speed program to earn her first stakes
victory.

Ridden by Jesus Rios, the Stanley Gold trainee led every step of the way in
the seven-furlong contest. After establishing quick splits of :22 4/5, :45 2/5
and 1:09 1/5, Dogwood Trail had enough left to withstand the late run of 3-2
favorite Huasca (Tiz Wonderful) and post a 1 1/4-length score on the wire.

The Jacks or Better Farm homebred was sent off the 3-1 second choice and paid
$8.20 for finishing up in 1:22 over the fast main track. Huasca had 2 3/4
lengths to spare on third-place runner I’m a Looker (Henny Hughes), who in turn
was 1 1/4 lengths in front of Fond of Sarah (With Distinction).

Dogwood Trail turned the tables on Huasca after finishing second to that
rival in the Tangelo H. last out on June 6. Prior to that, the Florida-bred miss
was fourth in Tampa Bay Downs’ Florida Cup Sophomore Fillies S. after opening
her sophomore season with an allowance/optional claiming win and runner-up
effort in the Any Limit S., both at Gulfstream.

Dogwood Trail took her maiden debut last May and improved her career record
to read 6-3-2-0, $180,510, with the Azalea victory.