Dubawi Heights
transitioned successfully into graded stakes company, winning the $100,000
Wilshire Handicap Saturday at Hollywood
Park.
The
victory was the third in a row for the 4-year-old daughter of Dubawi and the
Suave Dancer mare Rosie’s Posy.
Trained
by Simon Callaghan for a partnership that includes his father Neville, Clodagh
McStay, M.V. Magnier and Annabel Wyatt, Dubawi Heights
has blossomed in recent months after beginning her career 0-for-8.
Defeated
six times in her native England – including two appearances in Group II events
- Dubawi Heights lost at 13-10 and 5-2 in her first two races in the United
States, ending the streak with a victory against maidens last Nov. 28 during
Hollywood Park’s Autumn meet.
Beset
by various health issues, Dubawi
Heights returned from a
layoff of more than four months with a victory against only three opponents in
a turf allowance April 1 at Santa Anita.
Never
too far off the slow pace (24.73, 49.16 and 1:12.80 for six furlongs) set by
longshots Burg Berg and Miss Pleasant, Dubawi Heights
joined the leaders around the turn, then asserted her superiority in the
closing yards under jockey Joel Rosario.
In
winning by 1 ½ lengths, the 7-2 second choice in the field of nine completed
the mile on turf 1:35.21. She paid $9, $5.20 and $3.80. Her third win in 11
starts pushed her earnings to $505,196.
“I
was just following the horse in front of me,’’ said Rosario. “She took me to the right place and
was doing it comfortably.
“She
took me to the right place and was doing it comfortably. They weren’t going
that quickly up front. She’s getting better every race. Actually I was
surprised because she can finish better now. She made a little move at the
quarter pole and really found her stride in the stretch.’’
Callaghan,
who won both the Redondo Beach Stakes and Beverly Hills Handicap with Turning
Top during the 2010 Spring/Summer meet, has much admiration for Dubawi Heights.
“It’s
been quite a long road with this filly,’’ he said. “Since she came here, she
had colic off the plane, she had a tibia injury and she had to have knee
surgery. This filly is unbelievably tough.’’
Callaghan
indicated Dubawi Heights could make her Grade I debut in
the $250,000 Gamely Stakes May 30.
Seeking
her first victory since she won the Osunitas last July 24 at Del Mar, Lilly Fa Pootz had to settle for
second at 4-1. She finished a nose in front of Miss Pleasant, the longest shot
in the Wilshire at 49-1.
First
or second in four of six on the Hollywood
Park turf, Lilly Fa Pootz
paid $4.80 and $3.60. The show price on Miss Pleasant was $14.60.
Making
her first appearance in 11 months, Well Monied was fourth as the 5-2 favorite.
She finished a nose behind Miss Pleasant, then came Burg Berg, Talktoomuch,
Vamo a Galupiar, Blue Maiden and Smart Striking. Saanneen, who is entered in
Sunday’s seventh race, and Givine were scratched.