Race Recaps Ring Leader Still Undefeated After Dixie Belle Triumph February 15, 2020 Coady Photography Race Recaps Ring Leader Still Undefeated After Dixie Belle Triumph February 15, 2020 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article HOT SPRINGS, AR – Novogratz Racing Stables’ Ring Leader extended her undefeated streak to three with a hard-fought score in Saturday’s $125,000 Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Bobbling slightly while breaking from post 2 under Joe Talamo as the 4/1 second choice, Ring Leader recovered to run three-wide while rating off of the leaders. Just ahead of her, Miss Firecracker and Sassy Seneca dueled through opening fractions of :22.48 and :45.80. Putting forth her bid near the top of the stretch, Ring Leader shook clear near the 1/8 pole, then had to fend off a late challenge from the 3/5 favorite Specially. The bettors’ choice made her move too late, however, as Ring Leader held sway by a 1/2-length at the wire. The McLean Robertson trainee completed the 6-furlong sprint over the fast main track in a final time of 1:10.46. “We had a beautiful trip,” Talamo said. “She sat right off the pace and relaxed really well. She did all the work down the lane. I was very impressed.” Specially was 5 1/2 lengths clear of Wasabi Girl, while Sassy Seneca and Miss Firecracker weakened to complete the order of finish. Credit: Coady Photography Ring Leader’s win followed a 6-furlong local romp in the mud on January 24 and a maiden-breaking debut effort at Canterbury Park on June 22, 2019. The 3-year-old daughter of Paynter, purchased for $80,000 as a yearling, has now earned $143,400. “She’s improving,” Robertson said. “Obviously, she went from winning by a head at Canterbury to winning by 5 (lengths) at Oaklawn. That’s a big move. Usually, when they make that big of a move, they make another one. I don’t think it’s foolish to be high on a horse like that. They always come again. When they come that much from 2 to 3, they always come again. It might not be next time, might be in the fall or next year, but they come again. They get better.” Ring Leader returned $10 to win and $3.60 to place, while Specially brought back $2.60 to place. There was no show betting.
BLINKERS OFF 596: Pegasus World Cup and Southwest Stakes Picks The Racing Dudes preview the $3 million Pegasus World Cup… Read More
DWBS 127: Southwest Stakes Preview and PICKS Can Arabian Knight fend off all challengers in the Southwest… Read More
The Magic Mike Show 435: What We Learned [Kentucky Derby Updates | Instant Coffee, Arabian Knight, Forte] The Magic Mike Show guys discuss everything they learned from… Read More
BLINKERS OFF 595: Lecomte Stakes Preview and Rapid-Fire Picks The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $200,000… Read More
2023 Pegasus World Cup Picks and Wagering Guide The 7th annual Pegasus World Cup is set for January… Read More
BLINKERS OFF 596: Pegasus World Cup and Southwest Stakes Picks The Racing Dudes preview the $3 million Pegasus World Cup… Read More
The Magic Mike Show 436: Gulfstream Saturday Late Pick 5 Preview (Pegasus World Cup) The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
2023 Pegasus World Cup Preview & FREE Picks | Cyberknife Takes Final Stab At Victory In Career Bow Aaron previews the 2023 Pegasus World Cup (G1) from Gulfstream… Read More
2023 Southwest Stakes Preview & FREE Picks | Arabian Knight Returns In Deep Kentucky Derby Prep Aaron previews the 2023 Southwest Stakes (G3) from Oaklawn Park,… Read More