Justwhistledixie Favorite for Sabin Stakes in Florida - 02-27-10

February 27 - Today's exciting card at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida should attract racing fans from far and wide, particularly those eager to watch the day's feature, the $100,000 Sabin Stakes (Gr 3) over a mile on dirt, which has drawn eight runners including 3/2 favorite, Justwhistledixie.

Astute betting fans will no doubt recall that Justwhistledixie is no stranger to Gulfstream Park. In fact, the filly dominated here as a three-year-old last winter when she won the $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes (Gr 2) as well as the $200,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes (Gr 2), both over a distance of 1 1/8 miles.

She was so good that her renowned trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin, entered her in last year's prestigious $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (Gr 1) at Churchill Downs, where she was expected to give champion filly, Rachel Alexandra, a formidable run for her money. However, a bruised foot put paid to those plans.

The filly was returned to New York, where she managed to chalk up a respectable second in the $250,000 Acorn Stakes (Gr 1) at Belmont Park. Three months later Justwhistledixie was transferred to the barn of highly respected trainer, Bill Mott, for whom today's Sabin Stakes will be her third outing.

She notched up a second in the $150,000 Top Flight Handicap (Gr 2) in late November at the Aqueduct. She then went to California for her most recent race, the $150,000 El Encino Stakes (Gr 2) at Santa Anita Park on January 17, where she came fourth despite it being her first race on a synthetic track.

Said Mott, 'Justwhistledixie's last race was sort of an experiment over the artificial track to see if she really liked it and to help determine where we might go with her down the road. I think we got our answer as she didn't look like she handled it. But hopefully we'll see a better performance out of her today.'

The biggest threat to Justwhistledixie in today's Sabin Stakes may be Jessica Is Back, one of three horses entered by trainer Martin Wolfson. A 6-year-old mare, Jessica Is Back finished a close second behind Sweet Repent in January's $1,000,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff, her one and only start this season.

Here is the complete field and odds for today's $100,000 Sabin Stakes (Gr 3) for fillies and mares four-years-old and up at Gulfstream Park:

1. Justwhistledixie (KY) 5/2
2. Matchless Orinda (KY) 4/1
3. Amazing (FL) 6/1
4. Miss Match (ARG) 12/1
5. Aurora Lights (KY) 6/1
6. Champagne Eyes (KY) 12/1
7. Jessica Is Back (FL) 3/1
8. Slides Choice (OH) 8/1