Dubai Majesty makes it look easy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Dubai Majesty easily defended her title Monday in the at Churchill Downs, gliding past favored Hot Dixie Chick approaching the eighth pole en route to a 4 1/2-length triumph in the seventh running of the Grade 3, $100,000 race.

"I never hit her," said Miguel Mena, who rode Dubai Majesty for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Dubai Majesty, a 5-year-old mare owned by the Martin Racing Stable and Dan Morgan, returned $6.80 as second choice after finishing six furlongs in 1:08.07 over a fast track. Secret Gypsy, a 24-1 shot under Francisco Torres, rallied late to take second by a length from Hot Dixie Chick, a 3-year-old who was the 7-5 choice when facing older rivals for the first time.

After breaking sharply from the outside post in a field of eight fillies and mares, Dubai Majesty was eased off of Hot Dixie Chick, who had surged to the fore in the early going under Robby Albarado. There was never a straw in the path of Dubai Majesty, who had her ears pricked and the leader measured.

"She was going so easy for me," said Mena. "I waited until the eighth pole to ask her a little bit, and she exploded."

Dubai Majesty, a Florida-bred by Essence of Dubai, earned $66,455, bringing her lifetime total to $681,343. She became the first horse to win the Winning Colors twice, having done it last year by a length as the 6-5 favorite.