Commercialize takes Sweetheart Stakes

Commercialize picked a good time to win her first race on dirt, finishing with a flourish to nip Miss Confusion at the wire in Friday night's $50,000 Sweetheart Stakes at Evangeline Downs. Favorite Carolyn Frances finished a half-length behind the top two in third, just a nose in front of Bonita's Reinbeau in fourth.

Under patient handling by Ramiro Talaverano, Commercialize raced well back in the early going of the one mile test for fillies and mares before rallying strongly four wide in the second turn. The Mark Thompson charge continued willingly to the finish and was a scant nose the best in a time of 1:40.49 over a fast track.

A 4-year-old daughter of Robyn Dancer, the winner picked up her fourth win from 21 starts with all of her previous success coming on grass, including two victories at the recently concluded Fair Grounds Meeting at Louisiana Downs. She earned $30,000 for winning owner Robert Shepard and increased her career bankroll to just over $180,000.