Lion D N A Determined in Correction

A determined Lion D N A dug in through the final yards to hold off Delightful Quality and win the $100,000 Correction on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack, giving jockey C. C. Lopez his second stakes victory of the afternoon.

A narrow winner of the Interborough on New Year's Day, Lion D N A came away from the gate in midpack but quickly moved up to shadow Baby J, who ran the opening quarter-mile in 23.46 seconds. Taking charge on the turn, Lion D N A swung into the stretch with a 1 ½-length advantage over the early pacesetter, and had just enough left to turn back the late run from Delightful Quality and win by a head.

Her time for the six furlongs was 1:11.32.

"She didn't break all that well then kind of ran off," said Lopez, who won the Grade 3 Toboggan with Candyman E earlier on the card. "But she settled down and I knew she was a winner turning for home."

The victory was the third straight for Lion D N A, a 5-year-old daughter of Lion Heart who was claimed by trainer Rudy Rodriguez for $35,000 on behalf of owner Michael Dubb on August 30 and is now 3-3-0 from six starts for his new connections.

"We claimed her because she could run for a $16,000 starter allowance, but she looks like she is getting better," said Rodriguez. "We can run her [in starter allowance races] if she needs relief, but hopefully she'll keep improving and we'll put her where she belongs."

The 2-1 favorite, Lion D N A returned $6.40 for a $2 win bet and earned $60,000. Overall she is 8-6-4 from 28 starts with a bankroll of $335,898.

Masasi was third, 2 ¼ lengths behind Delightful Quality. Uno Duo was fourth, followed by Expression, Love to Score, Baby J, Conkate, P J's Superego and I'm Mom's Favorite.