Dandy Dora bids to stay perfect in stakes

Horses who last raced at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta, aren't found in the entries on a regular basis in New Mexico. But with Greg Tracy, a high-percentage trainer in Canada, bringing a 16-horse division to Zia Park this fall, that is changing.

Tracy said he came to New Mexico in part for this region's stakes opportunities for 2-year-olds, and one of the best young horses in his barn will run Sunday in the $55,000 Permian Basin at Zia.

Dandy Dora, who is undefeated in three career starts, should go favored in the six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies. She is looking for her third straight stakes win behind scores in the $50,000 Bird of Pay and the $50,000 Freedom of City, both at Northlands Park. Dandy Dora, whose wins have all come wire to wire, drew the rail for the Permian Basin.

"She'll be right up on the front end," said Tracy, who has given the mount to Alfredo Juarez Jr.

Dandy Dora has won at distances from 3 1/2 furlongs to a mile, with her wins coming by a combined margin of 14 1/2 lengths. She earned her best Beyer Speed Figure, a 75, in the 6 1/2-furlong Bird of Pay. Dandy Dora is a daughter of Katowice.

"She looks like a 3-year-old, she's just a great, big mature filly," said Tracy, who trains Dandy Dora for Stanley Ryan.

With a good performance, Dandy Dora would be pointed for the $100,000 My Trusty Cat at Delta Downs on Nov. 7, Tracy said.