Graded Stakes Winner Set to Return in Saturday’s Grade 1

Justwhistledixie is scheduled to return to the races in this Saturday’s $300,000 Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park. The race is for three-year-old fillies going a mile on the main track. It will be her first start since her dominant score in the G2 Bonnie Miss on March 27th.

‘Dixie was forced to miss some time after she bruised her foot preparing for the Kentucky Oaks last month. She has since returned to the worktab, posting three official breezes since the minor injury, and according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, “couldn’t be doing any better.”

Her final breeze in preparation for her first start in a Grade 1 came Sunday at Belmont Park, when she covered a half-mile in :48.2. “It was exactly what we were looking for,” said McLaughlin.

WPT President Terry Finley is looking forward to getting his star three-year-old filly back in the starting gate. “We’re excited about the Acorn,” said Finley. “Obviously, it was disappointing the injury happened when it did, but she’s back on her game now. It’s a Grade 1 so it’s a tough race, but we’re happy to have her back, that’s for sure.”

The daughter of Dixie Union has won five straight races, including four stakes events. She’ll be ridden by Julien Leparoux, who was aboard for her score in the Bonnie Miss.

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