Dixie Twist tries to return to form in sprint feature
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Stakes winner Dixie Twist has landed in a spot where she could get back on track in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, a first-level allowance sprint for 3-year-old fillies that has a $75,000 claiming option.
Dixie Twist showed immediate promise in her debut at 2, rallying wide for second after a troubled trip in the July 13 Shady Well Stakes. Less than a month later, she graduated with determination while racing up front in the six-furlong Ontario Debutante Stakes, scoring by a head over current rival Roaming.
Dixie Twist got the winter off after missing the board in two graded route stakes here in the fall. She resurfaced April 12 in the six-furlong Star Shoot Stakes, finishing fifth after a three-wide stalking trip.
Alan Garcia will ride the Mark Casse-trained Dixie Twist, who is eligible for this six-furlong event because of the “nonwinners of two” clause in the conditions.
Casse also has found a possible confidence-boosting spot for last year’s Fury Stakes winner, Wild Catomine, in Friday’s eighth race, a turf mile for nonwinners of three. Nine races were carded, including a trio of grass events.
KEY CONTENDERS
Dixie Twist (Last 3 Beyers: 61-19-55)
◗ The nicely bred daughter of Indian Charlie has worked four times since her season opener, including five furlongs in a bullet 59.40 seconds around the cones over the turf training course May 27.
Roaming (Last 3 Beyers: 69-74-73)
◗ The Quality Road filly could go favored off her recent runner-up placing against older allowance opposition going seven furlongs. She was previously a troubled third in a six-furlong allowance on dirt at Keeneland.
◗ After her heartbreaking loss in the Ontario Debutante, she was beaten by double digits in both the Grade 2 Natalma and the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes. She closed out her 2014 campaign with a rallying second to Mississippi Delta in the seven-furlong Glorious Song Stakes.
◗ Gary Boulanger will get a leg up from trainer Gail Cox, who is best known for training multiple graded stakes winner Something Extra.
Conquest So True (Beyers: 48-48)
◗ Casse’s other entrant has been idle since her troubled fifth on the grass Aug. 22 in the allowance prep for the Natalma. She has been working right along.
Sister Stella (Beyers: 57-68)
◗ She is based at Presque Isle Downs, where she was competitive in each of her 2-year-old outings. She is now trained by Troy Wismer, who won a race here last Sunday.
Ready for Romance (Beyer: 58)
◗ She outran the impressive next-out winner Dancing On Fire and another eventual maiden special weight winner while notching her lone start in November.