Strong rally propels Dontmesswithjoanne to Red Camelia victory

A Brad Cox-trained horse won the $60,000 Red Camelia Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds – just not the one the betting public expected.

Dontmesswithjoanne had to steady off heels at the three-sixteenths pole but launched herself toward the finish line through the final furlong and won the Red Camelia, a turf route for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares, by 2 3/4 lengths. A 5-1 shot under Joe Bravo, Dontmesswithjoanne paid $12.60 to win. Mr. Al’s Gal won a nose photo for second over 72-1 Pera, with Pacific Pink a close fourth. Finishing sixth was the Cox-trained 6-5 favorite Inveniam Viam, who finally took a step back after holding top form, or close to it, for the better part of a year.

Dontmesswithjoanne’s Achilles heel has been her lack of any sort of positional speed, but Bravo, riding the filly for the first time, kept her closer than usual around the first turn and down the backstretch. Well-bet Tampa shipper Viva Vegas set splits of 24.05 seconds, 48.77, and 1:15.01 over a course downgraded from firm to good by mid-card rain, but after taking a clear lead into the homestretch, the pace-setter faltered.

Dontmesswithjoanne already had started her run when she briefly got tangled up behind a rival a furlong-and-a-half out, but once clear, and with the leaders coming home at an even pace, Dontmesswithjoane found her best stride in plenty of time to surge to the front. She was timed in 1:40.48 for about one mile.

Cox, Fair Grounds’ leading trainer so far this meet, trains Dontmesswithjoanne for Zayat Stables. The 4-year-old is a daughter of Pioneerof the Nile and the Doneraile Court mare Cinnamon Kisses. She won for the fourth time in 11 starts.