Zayat Stables LLC’s Dontmesswithjoanne made a huge move in the final furlong to take the $60,000 Red Camelia S. on the Fair Grounds’ turf course on St. Patrick’s Day to give the daugther of Pioneerof the Nile her first stakes win (VIDEO).
Pioneerof the Nile now has five stakes horses this year and was also represented yesterday by Road to Damascus, who ran third in the Rushaway S. at Turfway Park.
Ridden for the first time by Joe Bravo, Dontmesswithjoanne was in no hurry after breaking from post six, and secured a good spot along the rail several lengths from the front going into the first turn. The half-mile went in :48.77, with the eventual winner about 10 lengths from the front at that point.
Steadily making up ground around the turn and into the stretch, Dontmesswithjoanne had to take back sharply in upper stretch when she almost clipped heels. Guided to the outside by Bravo, she kicked into high gear and rolled to the front to win by nearly three lengths in an impressive display.
“You had those times and with the soft turf I think they got a hold of it,” Bravo said. “With a filly like this you just have to make sure that she was happy. She picked herself (after the incident in upper stretch) and went with it. When you ride the best horse, it’s easy. That’s the bottom line.”
Dontmesswithjoanne has compiled a very nice 4-3-1 record from just 11 starts. She upped her earnings to $158,695 for owner Zayat Stables LLC.
The winner was bred by Gulf Haven Farms.
