TORONTO, July 25, 2026 – A well-timed rally and sheer grit late helped Dakotah Blue earn her first career stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 3 $175,000 Ontario Colleen Stakes at Woodbine. Ridden by regular pilot Jose Campos, the Rachel Halden-trained filly broke slightly outward from post position 8, before angling to the 3-path and taking up 5th position into the clubhouse turn, in the one mile inner-turf test for 3-year-old fillies. Early pacesetter Happy Destination led the field of 8 through an opening quarter-mile in :22.70 and continued to dictate terms up the backstretch through an opening half-mile in :46.89. Unrushed, Campos kept Dakotah Blue outside and clear of trouble in 5th position, while launching a wide rally through an opening 6 panel split in 1:11.04. At the top of the lane, Empty Handed took over the lead as a host of others began to quicken for the wire, including Dakotah Blue who was in full flow inside the 1/8th pole. And proved best by a spirited half-length over Bandiagara (GB), who was flying out wide. The final running time was 1:35.20. Campos, the only rider to sit aboard the daughter of Mendelssohn in the afternoon, guided the bay/brown filly to a fast closing 4th place finish in a 7-and 1/2-furlong dry run over the inner turf course on June 6th. In that event, the pair were 7th (13 lengths back) before rallying, beaten only 1 1/4. “She’s a nice filly. Last time the filly broke a little bit slow from the gate. First time in the grass, we were a little bit far from the pace. This race, we talk about the race with Rachel and said if we can if we can fix that mistake, she’s gonna be there.” “At two and a half, when the horse in front of me started running, when I was asking my filly to start running too, I said we’re gonna get this race,” said Campos who guided Dakotah Blue to a maiden breaking score in her 3-year-old season bow at Woodbine on May 3rd. Bred in Kentucky by Grantley Acres and owned by Flying Zee Racing Stables LLC, Dakotah Blue improved to 2-0-0 from 4 career starts. Going 3rd off the layoff and 2nd time Lasix, Dakotah Blue was listed at 20-1 morning line, went postward at 10-1 and returned $21.30 for the win. Second choice Bandiagara (GB) was 2nd, Flowerhead (IRE) was 3rd and Empty Handed rounded out the superfecta. Race favourite Aretha was 6th. Brat Pack was a stewards scratch. Phil McSween, Woodbine Share This:Share
