Dixie Strike likely to head to Saratoga to compete in the Alabama Stakes
The Mark Casse trained, Dixie Strike, delivered a solid third place finish in the Queen’s Plate Stakes at Woodbine on 24th June, 2012, and she only got better by an improved finish in her next start.
The place finish did not seem to be enough for the daughter of Dixie Union, who went on to collect the biggest victory of her career at Fort Erie in the $500,000, Prince Of Wales Stakes on 15th July, 2012.
She briskly covered the 1 1/16 mile track and defeated, Ultimate Destiny, while Colleen’s Sailor, finished in third place.
Referring to the victory at Fort Erie and the filly’s form, the trainer commented:
“I work horses to get them fit. Once they’re fit, I’d rather keep them happy. She gained probably 75 pounds going into this race. I was really confident in her chances.”
After that commendable performance, the sophomore is lining up for bigger victories and, she is eyeing the prize in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes which will be held at Saratoga on 18th August, 2012, over 1 ¼ miles.
The trainer stated the runner has excelled on the dirt surface and running her in the Alabama Stakes is an option to consider because it will also be run on dirt.
Casse confirmed this when he stated:
“I may just send her down to Saratoga and see how she likes it there,” Casse added. “We may go to the Alabama.”
Foaled by Smart Strike mare Noble Strike, Dixie Strike, this season has competed in seven starts, and notched three brilliant victories and finished thrice in third place. She seemed to be in great form and will try her best at Saratoga.
Over the course of her eleven career starts, she has downed five victories and has earnings of $891,051.
Ultimate Destiny, who finished as a runner-up to Dixie Strike might run on 5thAugust, 2012, at Woodbine in the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes which covers a distance of 1 ½ miles.
The final leg of the Triple Crown for Canadian-bred sophomores is well on the cards and trainer Mike Keogh thinks he will perform well on the grass surface compared to the dirt track.
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