Lexie Lou fights Smartly
It is fitting, on Queen's Plate day, that a former winner returned home to win on the Woodbine turf. 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou won her second stakes race of the year in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine despite going near suicidal fractions up front. After blazing through three-quarters in 1:08 3/5, it looked like Lexie Lou's day was done, but the 2014 Queen's Plate hero showed why she is the champion that she is. Despite being passed in the stretch, Lexie Lou came back and won the Dance Smartly going away in one of the fastest times in the race's history. For Lexie Lou, it was her second victory of the year after she won the Grade 2 Nassau a few weeks earlier. Lexie Lou looks as if she is back in top form after a disappointing beginning of the year.
Since the 2014 Queen's Plate, the biggest victory of her career, Lexie Lou has faced greater competition in both Canada and the U.S. She battled bravely against against the boys and California Chrome in the 2014 Hollywood Derby to finish second. After a run in the G2 La Canada, Lexie Lou went to the sidelines and was absent for the rest of the year. During her absence, she was named 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year and champion three year old filly. By the time she was ready to return, Lexie was training in top form, but her performances, however suggested otherwise. Lexie Lou went on a losing streak to start 2016, including a loss to Tepin at Tampa Bay Downs. When she lost an allowance race at Woodbine, it looked as though her career was winding down. Lexie Lou, however, silenced her doubters and scored an upset in the Nassau, and today scored in the G2 Dance Smartly.
It is fitting that a former Queen's Plate winner in Lexie Lou would win a race named in honor of one of the greatest Canadian champions in history, Dance Smartly. Throughout her career, Lexie Lou has shown she is a tough warrior. She always shows up to fight and today proved she's not done yet. Lexie Lou has always been a fan favorite of mine, so today was such a joy to see her back in the winners circle. May the rest of 2016 be kind to Lexie Lo,u and may she continue to have success in her future.