Delaware Stakes Races
6/5/2009

Cre-run Oaks Gr 2  Delaware Park May 23, 2009

Bob Magness Derby Gr 2 Delaware Park May 30, 2009

articles by Stephanie Corum

The super thoroughbred filly Rachel Alexandra won the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by an astonishing 20 lengths. On May 23, Guy Neiven’s Dixie Valentine won the Cre Run Oaks (G2) by the same incredible margin. Rachel Alexandra went on to win the Preakness S. (G1) so what could be next for Dixie Valentine?

The 2008 Darley Champion 3-Year-Old Filly faced only 5 other 4-year-olds in this third leg of the Arabian Triple Crown. Burning Perfume MKP, winner of the Daughters of the Desert Oaks (G1) and A Second Wind, who won the Texas Yellow Rose (G2) were not in the field so a different filly won each leg this year.

Dixies Valentine broke sharply from the gate and jockey Joe Rocco Jr. put her right on the lead. Burnie Gee PW tried to go with the pacesetter, but the leader was just too much horse. After a half-mile she had 4 lengths on the field and her margin continued to widen through the second turn and into the stretch. While Dixies Valentine looked to be a sure winner, there was a horse race going behind her. Finest Our made a middle move to take over second while Areethmatik, owned by Ted and Cheri Wright, began her rally from last place. Areethmatik looped her rivals and went 4-wide coming out of the second turn. Finest Our couldn’t sustain her bid allowing Areethmatik to take the place spot. Dixies Valentine completed the 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:59.74. Areethmatik was almost 3 lengths in front of Finest Our who stayed on for third followed by Later Ala Gatour, Ashton Rose and Burnie Gee PW.

Trainer Bill Waldron bred the chestnut daughter of Nivour De Cardonne. He and his wife Cathy also owned the filly himself until Neivens bought her the end of September 2008. Like Rachel Alexandra, who is undefeated in 5 starts this year, this win makes Dixies Valentine 2-for-2 in 2009 and brings her lifetime record to 2/11(8-1-0)4-1, $105,840. Her dam is Dixie Darlene, champion and Racing Hall of Fame member with over $281,000 in earnings. Even though Dixie Darlene has produced champions Dixies Delight and Dixie Dance, this one may be her best.

Bob Magness Derby Gr 2 May 30, 2009

After capturing the Drinkers of the Wind Derby (G1) and Texas Six Shooter (G2), Warren and Helen Shelley’s Qjuick Sand PW was going for a sweep of the Arabian Triple Crown in the Bob Magness Derby (G2) on May 30. To date, the only horse to win all three races was TH Richie in 2005. Of course, this would be the first time these 4-year-olds traveled a mile and a quarter. In the past the race was held in July, but the track moved it up to May, which had them going longer a whole lot earlier. Still, there were seven colts and one filly (Burnie Gee PW) willing to give it a try.

Burnie Gee PW was involved in some bumping at the start, but made the lead followed by Status Symboll and Qjuick Sand PW. Monarkos CS, a maiden, brought up the rear. Status Symboll was through before they had gone a mile and allowed Qjuick Sand PW to move into second. Theoretically advanced into third. Coming through the far turn, Burnie Gee PW tired, Qjuick Sand PW easily took over the lead and opened up three lengths on the field. The only horse that looked to have a chance at catching him was Oakcrest Farms LLC’s Theoretically. He made up almost five lengths on the outside before dropping to the rail. When Qjuick Sand PW started to drift out, Theoretically gained a short lead. The race’s distance proved to be just a little too much for Qjuick Sand PW, who tired and continued to drift into the middle of the track. Jockey Roxane Losey kept Theoretically going strong and he opened up his lead to win by 5 lengths at the wire. Qjuick Sand PW fell just short of his Triple Crown quest, but was a respectable second. Another twelve lengths back was Monarkos CS, owned by Eric Moreau-Sipiere, who closed from far back to get third. He was followed by Travelen Soldier, Tiki Barber, Pocahontas Dream, Burnie Gee PW and Status Symboll. The final time was 1:52.30.

Trained by Lynn Ashby and bred by the owner, “Theo” is from the first crop of multiple graded stakes winner Doran SBFAR, a son of leading French sire Dormane and out of French Derby winner Ortie. Ortie, a prolific broodmare, has produced a total of six stakes horses. Doran has also sired stakes winner Geniunely At Risk and stakes-placed winner Status Symbol. The grey colt is the first foal out of First Ladie, a stakes-placed winner by Monarch AH. Previously, Theoretically won the Liberty Bell S. also at Delaware Park. His overall record is now 2/11(3-4-2)2-5, $71,531.