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By Jim Dunleavy, courtesy DRF.com
Rip Loves Maize gave trainer Linda Dixon her first career stakes victory and jockey Dean Frates his first since 2009 by winning a head decision in the $50,000 Shesastonecoldfox Stakes at Finger Lakes on Monday.
Rip Loves Maize is now 2 for 3 in her career. She finished second in her August debut and won a maiden race in early September prior to the Shesastonecoldfox, a six-furlong race for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies. Ribbonite, the 1-5 favorite, bumped with Market Music at the start but moved up to take the early lead. She was pressed early by Lily’s Secret, who also is trained by Dixon, while Rip Loves Maize tracked the leaders three wide. Ribbonite disposed of Lily’s Secret nearing the stretch and drew clear but began to tire after setting fractions of 22.02, 45.91, and 59.51 seconds. Gonna Be Morgan, who had broken alertly but dropped well off the pace, found her best stride while saving ground on the stretch turn and was up to take the lead inside Ribbonite in midstretch. Gonna Be Morgan held the lead until the final jump, when Rip Loves Maize nailed her on the wire.
Rip Loves Maize, a daughter of D’ Funnybone, was fanned wide into the stretch after racing in good early position. She continued willingly to wear down Gonna Be Morgan. Rip Loves Maize paid $26.40 in the seven-horse field. She was timed in 1:13.56. The final furlong of the race went in 14.05. Rips Loves Maize combined with 50-1 Gonna Be Morgan for a $2 exacta worth $481.50. A Lovely Rose, the 7-2 second choice in the race, was fanned widest of all into the stretch and then was slowly getting to the top pair late. She finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Gonna Be Morgan. Ribbonite tired to fourth, five lengths behind A Lovely Rose.
