Dutchie resurgence continues

Dutchie, who tumbled all the way down to the $14,000 claiming level last year, won her fifth race in a row Saturday at Hawthorne, taking the $42,800 Kissapotamus Stakes by a neck over stablemate Pass the Pepper.

Trained by Michelle Boyce, Dutchie paid $4.20 to win, running six furlongs in 1:10.49.

Dutchie won her career debut here two seasons ago, but struggled with nagging physical problems and appeared to be headed in the wrong direction for most of last season. She turned her year around in the fall, and Boyce claimed Dutchie back for $25,000 after losing her at the claim box in November.

Saturday, Pass the Pepper set a quick pace of 45.34 seconds for the half-mile while dogged by Wildwood Royal. But Dutchie, with Jesse Campbell up, rallied three wide in the final furlong and was up in the shadow of the wire. Pass the Pepper held on for second over Wildwood Royal.