2012 Cigar Mile and Gazelle Stakes

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The last Grade 1 race of the 2012 New York racing season is the $350,000 Gazelle Stakes (G1) for three-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles on the main track. Belle Cherie Stakes winner Dance Card was sent off as the 8-5 favorite in the field of 7 over 9-5 second choice Book Review, winner of the Imperial Gesture, and 7-2 third choice My Wandy's Girl, off her win in the Pentelis Stakes.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez sent Dance Card to the lead immediately and she set fractions of 23.92, 48.62, and 1:12.67 while stalked by My Wandy's Girl. Entering the stretch, Dance Card began to draw away from the field, getting the mile in 1:37.06. 23-1 Sea Island rallied from last but to no avail as Dance Card cruised to a 4 length victory in 1:50.39. It was just a neck back to My Wandy's Girl third.

Previous winners of the Gazelle Stakes

Results chart