Daz Lin Dawn dominant in Ross McLeod Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Daz Lin Dawn couldn’t have been more impressive in winning the $50,000 Ross McLeod for 3-year-old fillies at Hastings on Monday. It wasn’t unexpected, as she paid $2.50 for her 6 3/4-length win over last year’s local 2-year-old filly champion, Yukon Belle.

The performance proved that her 8 3/4-length romp in the B.C. Cup Dogwood was no fluke.

With Richard Hamel aboard, Daz Lin Dawn broke alertly from the outside post and seemed to be cruising while sitting just off Something Better through a half-mile in 46.41 seconds in the 6 1/2-furlong dash. Hamel gave her a cue approaching the quarter pole, and she quickly opened up a clear lead and was never threatened while being ridden out through the stretch. Yukon Belle came from a stalking position and easily held off Anstrum, who rallied to finish third.

The final time was 1:17.15.

“She’s one of the strongest 3-year-old fillies I’ve ever been on,” said Hamel. “She is so much horse right now. She was going so easy that I was a bit worried that when I had to ask her to run, she might not respond. I barely nudged her, and she took off.”

The B.C.-bred daughter of Popular is trained by Nancy Betts, who owns her along with JDP Holdings Ltd. and Delton Stable.