Woodbine: South Ocean rematches Paladin Bay, Lexie Lou

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The rematch is on. Paladin Bay and Lexie Lou, two daughters of Sligo Bay, will renew their rivalry Sunday at Woodbine in the $125,000 South Ocean, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.

When they met in the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes on Nov. 2, Paladin Bay rallied strongly to prevail by a length over Lexie Lou, who proceeded to gallop out far in front after the 1 1/16-mile race. There was a five-length gap back to the third horse.

Paladin Bay earned an impressive 84 Beyer Speed Figure in that fixture for Canadian-breds, which was a start removed from her sixth-out maiden win traveling a mile and 70 yards.

Trainer Harold Ladouceur, the husband of owner Jessie Ladouceur, said Paladin Bay seemingly was meant to be a horse that could go a distance of ground.

“I actually felt all along that she was more of a route horse, right from the first time we put a jockey on to work her,” Ladouceur said. “He said you’ve got a racehorse here, and I don’t think the distance matters.”

Ladouceur said Paladin Bay has trained forwardly heading into the South Ocean.

“She’s really good right now,” Ladouceur said. “I’m shocked at how good she came out of her race. She seems to be getting better and better.”

Lexie Lou came from the back of the pack to finish second by a nose to On Rainbow Bridge in the restricted $200,000 Muskoka on Aug. 28, but she was moved up to first by disqualification. After finishing second in another restricted stakes, the Victorian Queen, she ran perhaps her best race as the pacemaker in the Princess Elizabeth.

Owner-trainer John Ross said he was pleased with Lexie Lou’s half-mile breeze in 48.20 seconds on Nov. 14.

“I’ve tweaked things up a little,” Ross said. “I think she’ll learn to relax a little better going long the second time. It’ll be an interesting rematch.”

Flipcup, an unbeaten New-York bred trained by Brian Lynch, is the most intriguing new shooter in the lineup.

Flipcup won both of her stars comfortably when from off the pace going six furlongs. The daughter of Milwaukee Brew and a Touch Gold mare has lots of stamina in her pedigree.

“I’m looking forward to stretching her out,” Lynch said. “That seems what she wants to do, and down the road, we’ll probably find out that’s what she’s best at. She worked lovely the other day. The way she’s going, she should take a step forward, and we’ll find out what sort of filly we’ve got.”