Dixie Law noses Meilani in Ruling Angel Stakes
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Dixie Law stamped herself as the early favorite for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks when nosing out Meilani to capture Saturday’s $114,400 Ruling Angel Stakes under a shrewd ride from Rafael Hernandez.
Luster, the 2-5 favorite in the seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine, tracked the leading Meilani on the backstretch as Dixie Law raced four lengths off a quick pace in fourth.
Hernandez angled Dixie Law inward to the live rail approaching the turn and she rallied between Meilani and Luster near the sixteenth pole, before nosing out Meilani for the win.
Luster checked in another 1 1/4 lengths back in third, followed by Frosty Mojito, Lakota Lady, and Gray Dee One. The final time was 1:22.58.
“We had a good trip,” Hernandez said. “I had to work her to get it, but it’s not how much (you win by)—we made it. The (connections) did an unbelievable job. I know she’s going to come back better.”
A daughter of Tiz the Law making her first start with Lasix, Dixie Law ($15.60) earned $72,000 in her season debut for owner/breeder Garland Williamson. She won two route stakes at 2, the Grade 3 Mazarine on Tapeta and the Cup and Saucer Stakes vs. Canadian-bred males on the grass.
“We thought she was going to be a better 3-year-old than she was a 2-year-old,” Williamson said. “You anticipate them getting better and better. She’s grown a lot. She’s matured a lot, and I think her nerves are less than they were a year ago. As a 2-year-old, I think she was high-strung. Rafael and the trainer have done a good job with her.”
Winning trainer Dale Desruisseaux said Dixie Law will likely run back in the Grade 3 Selene going 1 1/16 miles here June 27 in advance of the 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks on July 19.
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