Davona Dale loses Maedean to Busher

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Saturday’s Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream lost one major player after trainer Mark Hennig made a late decision to hold his stakes-winning 3-year-old filly Maedean out of the race in lieu of running her at Aqueduct one week later in the Busher Stakes.

Maedean won 2 of 4 starts at 2, including the one-mile Tempted at Aqueduct. She has not raced since closing out the year finishing second in the nine-furlong Demoiselle on Dec. 7 at Aqueduct. Owned by Courtlandt Farms, Maedean has had four works since shipping to south Florida in preparation for her 3-year-old debut, with her main goal the Kentucky Oaks on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

“We just tried to freshen her a little bit after her last start,” Hennig said. “We thought getting a mile and one-eighth race into her in December was key. She ran well that day, even though she didn’t have a great trip. She’s done really well since she got down here. We were pointing for the Davona Dale, but I missed a little bit of time with her in January due to a little sickness, missed a couple of works, and I just wanted to get another breeze into her before she ran. She’s familiar with the track and the plane is going right in and out, so it will be an easy transition to go up for the race and come right back.”

While Maedean will not have to take on likely favorites Spice Is Nice and the undefeated Tonalist’s Shape in the one-mile Davona Dale, she does face the prospect of encountering runaway Demoiselle winner Lake Avenue again in the Busher.

“It’s a strong field here, but I guess you can’t say we’re looking to duck anyone since Lake Avenue is going in the race in New York and she’s pretty nice, too,” Hennig said. “Right now, our main concern is doing what’s best for our filly.”

The loss of Maedean left a field of nine 3-year-old fillies for the Davona Dale, which serves as a major prep for the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks on March 28. Along with Spice Is Nice and Tonalist’s Shape, the starting lineup will include Addilyn, Bayerness, Chart, Dream Marie, Emily’s Oasis, Reluctant Bride, and Nikki and Papa.