Dakotah Blue produced a determined late surge to secure the biggest victory of her career, capturing the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday. Showing patience through the early stages before unleashing a powerful finish in the straight, the Rachel Halden-trained filly prevailed in the $175,000 feature for three-year-old fillies over one mile on the inner turf course.
Ontario Colleen Stakes results.
Breaking from post eight under regular rider Jose Campos, Dakotah Blue moved across to race comfortably in fifth as the field settled into stride around the opening turn. Happy Destination set a lively tempo, covering the opening quarter-mile in 22.70 seconds before reaching the half-mile marker in 46.89 seconds, maintaining the lead along the backstretch.
Campos kept his mount in the clear throughout, allowing Dakotah Blue to travel smoothly on the outside before asking her to improve approaching the final bend. As the field straightened for home, Empty Handed briefly took command, but Dakotah Blue responded strongly inside the final furlong to wear down the leaders.
Despite a determined late charge from Bandiagara (GB) on the outside, Dakotah Blue held on by half a length, stopping the clock in 1:35.20 for the mile. The victory marked her first success at stakes level and underlined the progress she has shown during her four-start career.
The performance continued an encouraging upward trajectory for the daughter of Mendelssohn, who had produced a fast-finishing fourth over seven and a half furlongs on the Woodbine inner turf on June 6 after overcoming an early deficit. Stepping up to a mile, she found the extra distance to her liking and finished with greater authority.
Bred in Kentucky by Grantley Acres and raced by Flying Zee Racing Stables LLC, Dakotah Blue improved her career record to two wins from four starts. Racing third start back from a layoff and making her second appearance with Lasix, the filly rewarded her connections with a breakthrough graded stakes success.
Bandiagara (GB) finished second after making late ground, while Flowerhead (IRE) claimed third. Empty Handed stayed on for fourth after leading entering the stretch. Race favourite Aretha finished sixth, while Brat Pack was withdrawn before the start by the stewards.
The Ontario Colleen Stakes has long served as an important mid-season test for developing three-year-old turf fillies at Woodbine, and Dakotah Blue’s performance suggests she could continue to progress in stronger company during the remainder of the campaign.
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