Dixie's Hope Runs 2nd In Huge Effort at Keeneland

Making her first start since breaking her maiden in stellar fashion at Presque Isle nearly 70 days ago Pocket Aces Racing's Dixie's Hope turned in another impressive run, finishing 2nd, at Keeneland Friday.

Breaking from the 4 hole, at odds of 13 to 1, jockey Shane Sellers expertly guided her into great position going into the first turn. Down the backstretch Sellers got the big, gray filly to relax as she settled in nicely behind the pacesetters. Sellers first asked her for some run in the far turn and by the time the field began to straighten up for home she had struck the lead. In deep stretch it appeared as though she would be the winner, however, within the last 100 yards, the 7 horse, Kitty Love, made a late charge near the middle of the track and was able to just get by Dixie at the wire.

Dixie's Hope earned a lifetime best 78 Beyer for the race while increasing her bankroll to $54,390. Her lifetime race record now stands at 6-1-3-1. She has only failed to hit the board once in her career.

Trainer Joe Deegan reports that Dixie' Hope has exited the race in great shape and that he will point her towards another allowance race at Churchill Downs if she continues to do well.