Ring Leader stays unbeaten with a win in the Dixie Belle

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Ring Leader ran her career record to 3 for 3 when she won the $125,000 Dixie Belle by a half-length over 3-5 favorite Specially on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. It was another five and a half lengths back in third to Wasabi Girl in the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies.

Ring Leader ($10) tracked the pace set by Miss Firecracker, who took the field through an opening quarter in 22.48 seconds and a half-mile in 45.80. Ring Leader moved to the fore into the stretch and had enough to fight off a surging Specially.

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Ring Leader covered six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.46.

Joe Talamo was aboard Ring Leader for trainer Mac Robertson.

Ring Leader is a daughter of Paynter who won her career debut June 22 at Canterbury Park. She returned to action Jan. 24 on the opening-day card at Oaklawn, and rolled by five and a quarter lengths in a first-level allowance.

Ring Leader earned $75,000 for the win in the Dixie Belle to improve her career bankroll to $143,400.

The ontrack crowd was an estimated 20,500.