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Wholebodemeister Delivers 52-1 Davona Dale Shocker

The Bodemeister filly romped by daylight Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park

Wholebodemeister wins the Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park

Wholebodemeister wins the Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park

Coglianese Photos

The $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) was meant to mark the triumphant return of champion juvenile filly Vequist, making her first start since a score in the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Instead, the mile test at Gulfstream Park shone a spotlight on an unexpected contender—Wholebodemeister, who ran away with the Davona Dale at odds of 52-1.

Coming in off a third in the Jan. 30 Foward Gal Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream, Sabana Farm's homebred 3-year-old daughter of Bodemeister took the lead and never looked back in a field of 10 sophomore fillies, notching a 6 1/2-length score with her first graded win.  

"She was absolutely great today," said jockey Edgard Zayas. "Last time it was a troubled trip. She's still learning a lot."

Wholebodemeister ($107.60) went head-to-head with Adios Trippi before the eventual winner took over after a half-mile. Vequist, the 1-2 favorite, came out and bumped Curlin's Catch at the start and then raced fourth before she faded, was eased, and walked off. Wholebodemeister continued in front after three quarters and was full of run down the stretch. She finished in 1:36.89 on a fast track. The race was hand-timed, and splits were not immediately available.   

"Last time, it was a troubled trip," Zayas said. "She's still learning a lot. I remember last time she was between horses and she didn't like it. The last eighth she found some space and she went through it and only got beat by a little more than a length. I knew she would be solid if I could keep her in the clear.

"My plan was just to break out of there, put her on the lead and see what she got."

Crazy Beautiful, sent off at odds of 9-1, closed from eighth to get second in her first start since a sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Competitive Speed was third at odds of 53-1, while 84-1 shot Pens Street was fourth. The $1 superfecta returned $140,399.20. The order of finish was completed by Curlin's Catch, Happy Constitution, Millefeuille, Three Tipsy Chix, Vequist, and Adios Trippi. Hindsight and Lady Traveler were scratched.

Wholebodemeister, who may very well have earned a berth in the April 30 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs by picking 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks Saturday, is likely to return to action March 27 in the $200,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). She now ranks second on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with 52 total points, behind Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) winner Clairiere (54).

"I'm very happy, very happy. She's ready for the next race," said trainer Juan Carlos Avila through an interpreter. "She's little but she has a big heart. She's super hyper and is difficult to train, but I had a lot of confidence in her because when she breezes, she's really good."

Bred in Kentucky out of the Scat Daddy mare Wholelottashakin, Wholebodemeister improved her record to three wins and a third from seven starts, with earnings of $175,922. She is the lone winner from two starters for her dam, who produced an Arrogate colt Feb. 3 and a Union Rags  filly in 2020.

Video: Davona Dale S. (G2)