2012 Whitney Handicap and Prioress Stakes

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The first stakes race on the card was the $100,000 De La Rose Stakes for older fillies and mares going 1 mile on the inner turf course. Dealbata was the 2-1 favorite in the field of 9 over 4-1 Julie's Love and 5-1 La Cloche. 10-1 Dancing to Town set the early pace of 23.78, 47.41, and 1:11.35 over the firm course while stalked by 9-1 Trix in the City. Dancing to Town led to mid-stretch but Julie's Love, third early, and Dealbata, 8th early, both closed well to pass her. Julie's Love outfinished the favorite by 1/2 a length in 1:34.87, and it was just a head back to Dancing to Town third.

Results chart

Winning trainer Graham Motion said, "Today she ran by far the most professional race that she's run. She behaved so well. She's quite a nervous filly and just everything went really smoothly. Julien really gave her a great trip; it couldn't have set up better. I felt really good the whole way down the backside. They were going quick enough, and it just worked out beautifully." Jockey Julien Leparoux added, "That was perfect. I got her to relax very good, and she came on very impressively. As long as she's relaxed, she can be in front, or come from behind; it doesn't matter as long as she doesn't get into a fight."