Two get chance for redemption
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A flashy young filly will clash with a classy seasoned mare when Hot Dixie Chick and Dubai Majesty meet Monday in an intriguing running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Hot Dixie Chick, a sensation last summer at 2, will be trying to rebound from a loss as the odds-on favorite on a sloppy track in the Grade 3 Eight Belles Stakes on the May 1 Kentucky Derby undercard. Likewise, Dubai Majesty will be coming off an atypically poor effort in a Derby Day race, the Grade 1 Humana Distaff, when she returns for the six-furlong Winning Colors.
"She's run two bad races in her life for me, and that was one," said Bret Calhoun, the trainer of 5-year-old Dubai Majesty, who won the Winning Colors last year as the favorite. "We were extremely disappointed in the Humana Distaff because the mare was doing really good and she loves the off going. Tactics kind of backfired on us, because she was up on the pace, and I think she got kind of mad when the jock tried to ease her out of there, and she just quit trying."
Dubai Majesty drew the outside post in a field of eight entered in the Winning Colors, with Hot Dixie Chick, the likely speed, starting from post 5 with Robby Albarado riding for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Meanwhile, Miguel Mena will fill in aboard Dubai Majesty for regular rider Jamie Theriot, who will ride Euroears for Calhoun in the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap.
"Obviously Steve has a very fast filly, so my guess is that Miguel should have some decent options just behind her," said Calhoun.
Emmy Darling (post 1, Larry Melancon) and J Z Warrior (post 7, Alex Solis) rate the upset shots.
The Winning Colors, the 10th of 11 Monday races, is named for the third and most recent filly to win the Kentucky Derby, having done so in 1988. No 3-year-old has ever won this race, nor has any horse repeated.
Two allowances (race 3 and 7) are among the undercard events Monday. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern.
After Monday, live racing will resume with a twilight program here Friday, with Thursday being a dark day.