KINGSTON, Jamaica - During her seven prior starts, three-year-old chestnut filly She’s That Girl, by Sensational Slam out of Palace Gold, developed a reputation as a speedster extraordinaire.
Trainer Steven Todd aimed for a similar performance on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in the 5 ½-furlong War Zone Trophy, a race open to imported three-year-olds and older (non-winners of three) as well as native-bred three-year-olds and four-year-olds (non-winners of four).
In the War Zone, with Dane Dawkins in the saddle, She’s That Girl exhibited a remarkable change in race strategy.
This time, she positioned herself behind the leaders while a patient Dawkins awaited the right opportunity to strike. That moment materialized at the top of the stretch when Dawkins executed his plan with conviction.
She’s That Girl clinched a two-length victory over Teflon Don (Tevin Foster), who finished second, and Trust Fund Baby (Dick Cardenas) in third, with a final time of an impressive 1:06.1 seconds.
Todd was exhilarated after witnessing the success of his filly.
"She had a rough start and faced some hindrances, but she showed tremendous resolve to come out on top," Todd remarked, praising his filly's tenacity. He emphasized that the preparation for this race had revitalized her, a strategy that proved to be successful. "We had freshened her up, and it clearly worked well today. This was her fastest performance at this distance," he noted.
Regarding her new running style, Todd added, “This race presented new challenges, and while she didn't have the typical comfort in running, I am very happy with how she performed. What made this victory special was her ability to relax off the pace, face difficulties, and still succeed, which was different from her previous races where she often led.”
Following this victory, She’s That Girl will move up to compete in the Overnight Allowance category, representing a significant step forward for Todd and his team. "This new level is certainly competitive, but we’ll approach it one day at a time," he stated.
