by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Lexington, KY — An even dozen 3-year-old filly trotters took to the track on Sunday (Oct. 2) at The Red Mile in the $291,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity, in which Cedar Dove was a straight heat winner.

Cedar Dove won the first heat in a time of 1:53.2.

In the $116,400 first heat, Cedar Dove went right to the front from post four and was never caught as she trotted to a personal best clocking of 1:53.2. Owned by Adam Victor & Son Stable and John Fielding, the daughter of Andover Hall-Pine For Her was driven to victory by Ron Pierce. Noel Daley is the trainer.

Cedar Dove started from the four hole and cut fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:26. She was challenged by a first over Crys Dream at the three-quarter pole, but easily rebuffed that challenge and went on to an open lengths victory. Hambletonian Oaks winner Bold And Fresh rallied to finish second and Hey Mister was third. Favored Lady Rainbow made a break before the start and ended up sixth, while Crys Dream faded to seventh.

“We are very excited,” said co-owner John Fielding. “She was fantastic; she loves Lexington. We knew all the way along she was a really good filly. Noel, so far, can’t believe that she really hasn’t shown her stuff to be one of the top fillies in the country. Today she pretty much showed it. She’s still got some great things in front of her for the rest of the year.”

The $116,400 second heat saw Cedar Dove get away second as Pantholops (Andy Miller) led to the opening quarter in :28. Heading down the backstretch, Pierce pulled Cedar Dove out of the pocket and she took over the lead at the half-mile marker in :56.2.

USTA/Mark Hall photos

Cedar Dove came back in the second heat to score in 1:53.4

With Pantholops making a break behind her, Cedar Dove opened up on the field and led to the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3. But her work was far from done as David Miller launched Bold And Fresh into attack mode.

Down the stretch, Bold And Fresh continued to make up ground, but at the wire Cedar Dove held off Bold And Fresh by three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:53.4. Crys Dream finished third for Luc Ouellette.

“She was awesome today,” said driver Ron Pierce. “Noel did a great job getting her ready for this event. She felt good (turning for home). She was still strong and nice and felt really good, and I figured I could hold them off.

“We’ve had a lot of confidence in this filly all year. Since she was two she showed us she was just brilliant on the track with her gait and her speed. She had some bad luck earlier in the year. It was just a matter of time before she popped up and came around.”