Trainer Dini has strong Florida Oaks prospect in Dynatail

Trainer Mike Dini unveiled a strong prospect for the Grade 3 Florida Oaks last Saturday, when Dynatail led from start to finish under jockey Ronnie Allen Jr. to win a $20,000 maiden special weight race by 2 1/4 lengths.

The performance atoned for the filly’s prior start Oct. 19 at the Meadowlands, where she appeared to be on her way to a front-running victory in a $25,000 maiden special weight race before bolting on the turn. Dini said Dynatail may have benefited from the addition of blinkers on Saturday.

“She’s just been a nice filly,” Dini said. “Last time, why she missed the turn, I don’t know. I thought she was going too fast [Saturday], but she went fast the whole race.”

Dynatail ($17.60) earned a career-best 79 Beyer Speed Figure on Saturday for finishing the one-mile race on firm turf in 1:35.94. The 2-year-old daughter of Hightail and the Dynaformer mare Southern Dynamo had been second and third in her first two starts before finishing fourth at the Meadowlands and being disqualified to sixth place for interference.

Dynatail sold for just $5,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training in June and has earned $17,600 for owner Ballybrit Stable LLC. Dini said the filly likely will start in an allowance next before targeting the $200,000 Florida Oaks, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies here March 11.

Allen said he wasn’t surprised by the filly’s impressive victory.

“I saw that there was no speed in there, and I’ve worked her in the morning, so I know she’s got some gas and she’s really tough on the bit,” Allen said. “So, I just decided to get her out there, get her in the clear and try to relax her. She relaxed super for me, and when I smooched at her around the turn, I knew I had a lot more horse left. When we turned for home, I threw a cross and let her roll, and when I looked back, there was nothing catching us.”