Dreams of lilies in May are on the minds of all who have a developing 3-year-old filly on their hands this time of year. That dream took a step forward March 2 for the connections of Fiona's Magic as she catapulted to second on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard with a win in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
"You'd always like to win one of the big ones," said owner and breeder Marilyn Campbell.
Video: Davona Dale S. presented by FanDuel TV (G2)
In 1988, Marilyn and her late husband, Gil, purchased Waldemar Farms near Williston, Fla., and started Stonehedge Farm South. The farm has seen its fair share of success, being named Florida Breeder of the Year in 1997, 2013, and 2016.
"We haven't had the big horses yet," Campbell said, "but we've had our success."
Campbell will hope that Fiona's Magic will turn into that big horse now that she has joined a list of graded stakes winners bred by Stonehedge and the Campbells that include Always Sunshine, Dean Delivers, Friel's for Real, and Well Defined.
Campbell is no stranger on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks as homebred Ivanavinalot was on the trail in 2003 after a runner-up finish in the Davona Dale that was followed by a win in the Bonnie Miss Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
However, in her final Oaks prep, smooth running Ivanavinalot experienced a rough trip that ended with a seventh-place finish. Feeling as if she was not ready for the Oaks off that performance, trainer Kathleen O'Connell opted to wait for the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico Race Course, where she finished fourth.
"We've had our disappointments in the past," Campbell said, "we know what can happen, so just take it from day to day and hopefully everything will come together."
Ivanavinalot would go on to make her mark in the breeding shed as dam of Hall of Famer Songbird.
With the Kentucky Oaks two months away, Campbell will hope a better final prep is in store for Fiona's Magic. Campbell said that if all goes well and the filly seems ready, the March 30 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) would likely be that next step.
The 1 1/16-mile distance would be a proper test for Fiona's Magic, who has yet to race around two turns. Although Campbell doesn't seem concerned about the added ground.
"She's done everything we asked her to do and she still seems she can go the distance," she said. "It looks like she wants to continue to run. She hung around and showed us what she's made of. She did a great job, very proud of her."
The win was extra special for Campbell as she owns a 25% share in the sire, St. Patrick's Day. With the victory, Fiona's Magic became the first stakes winner for her sire, a full brother to American Pharoah . The relation to the Triple Crown winner is what first drew Campbell to the stallion, which has proven a successful investment as she stated that he seems to work well with her broodmares.
Campbell also owns a share in stallion Khozan and stands Cajun Breeze at Stonehedge.
St. Patrick's Day stands the 2024 season at Journeyman Stallions in Ocala, Fla. for $3,500. Fiona's Magic's dam, the Factum mare Mollie's Magic, will return to St. Patrick's Day this year following her daughter's Davona Dale victory.
Stonehedge has been downsizing "a little bit" since Gil's passing in September 2021, but the drive to continue the operation is still present. The farm is home to about 40 each of broodmares, 2-year-olds, and yearlings.
"I guess 40 is the number right now," Campbell joked. "Everybody's getting older on the farm, but I want to keep getting better broodmares."
Campbell credits the farm's success to hard-working individuals who have been with the farm for decades.
"We've got a great team, you need that," said Campbell. "We've got a loyalty with our people. It's been a good ride so far."
Although her experience in the sport tells Campbell to be optimistic with caution about the future, she continues to enjoy the moments that have made the sport enjoyable.
"The win Saturday was unbelievable," Campbell said of the Davona Dale. "It was a great day. I had friends there, always fun to win. (Trainer) Michael Yates always prepares his horses for the race. He's cool, calm, and collected, but you could see the excitement in him also."
The excitement will only build as the potential trip to Louisville draws closer. Campbell has experienced it before, having participated in the 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1) with Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Watch Me Go.
When asked whether she's already planning a pink outfit to wear to Churchill Downs May 3, Campbell laughed and asked, "How did you know?"
