Justwhistledixie sharp and speedy

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - With one solid sprinter and one undefeated router, the owner/trainer tandem of West Point Thoroughbreds and Kiaran McLaughlin could dominate the stakes program for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct this winter.

In Sunday's $65,000 Ruthless Stakes, at six furlongs, the speedy Justwhistledixie goes for her third consecutive victory against six opponents. One reason McLaughlin is delaying the inevitable stretching out of this filly is because he has Fitz Just Right, unbeaten in two starts, set to run in next Saturday's $65,000 Busanda Stakes at a mile and 70 yards.

Justwhistledixie, a daughter of Dixie Union, was sent off as the 2-1 favorite in a 12-horse field in her debut at Saratoga. She finished third behind Selva and Gemswick Park. Selva has gone on to win two stakes while Gemswick Park won a maiden race and has twice placed in a graded stakes.

In her second start, Justwhistledixie finished third behind Be Smart and Mia's First. Be Smart came back to run second in the Grade 1 Alcibiades while Mia's First won a maiden race here last Sunday by 5 1/2 lengths.

On Oct. 13 at Belmont, Justwhistledixie cruised to a seven-length win over next-out winner and Ruthless entrant J.J. Cuvee. Justwhistledixie was very sharp in winning the Love Affair Stakes over Aqueduct's main track on Nov. 28. She dueled through quick early fractions with Thankherbanker. After putting that one away, she withstood a mid-race challenge from Casanova Move before spurting away from that one for a 3 1/2-length score.

"She's definitely pretty handy,'' said Art Magnuson, the New York assistant for McLaughlin. "We don't have to be on the lead for sure. The last couple she's been pretty sharp and [going to the front] is just what she's done.''

Displeased with Belmont's training track last weekend, Magnuson shipped Justwhistledixie and Fitz Just Right to Aqueduct for a four-furlong in-company work which was timed in 47.60 seconds.

Unveil the Mask is an intriguing upset candidate. Rick Violette shipped this daughter of Harlan's Holiday to Philadelphia Park on Oct. 11 and she rolled to an 8 1/4-length maiden score.

Violette said Unveil the Mask missed some training time in early December due to a lung infection. Violette said he's hoping someone can run with Justwhistledixie early so his filly can "pick up the pieces'' late.

Finger Lakes shipper Indian Rush, Philadelphia shippers Could Be Us and Ocarson, and Laurel Park shipper Gnome's Delight all have speed, but it remains to be seen if they can pressure Justwhistledixie.