Fleet-footed filly Dixie Law delivers in Cup & Saucer Stakes

TORONTO, October 5, 2025 – Dixie Law rallied impressively to win Sunday’s running of the $250,000 Cup & Saucer Stakes at Woodbine.

Run on the inner turf course, the 1 1/16-mile feature spotlighting 2-year-olds foaled in Canada went postward with nine hopefuls, including 4-1 Dixie Law, under Rafael Hernandez.

It was a two-horse tussle for top spot, as Gone With Duwyn and Thundermaker threw down early, followed by mutuel choice Military Time, Buium and Oscar’s Encore, while Dixie Law found a seat in sixth through a lively opening quarter reached in :22.47.

Thundermaker, at 10-1, was a head clear of Gone With Duwyn through a half in :45.99. Hernandez was content on maintaining a patient hand with Dixie Law, the duo sitting fifth as the field made its way into the turn for home.

A host of hopefuls soon began to envelop the leaders, including Dixie Law, Princecrest, along the rail, and Buium, all looking like major threats for top spot midway down the lane.

At the wire, it was Dixie Law crossing the wire 2 ¼ lengths clear of Princecrest, who was a head in front of Buium. Backstreet Emma was fourth. Twentytwo Soles was scratched.

The final time, over firm ground, was 1:44.60.

A claim of foul by the rider of Buium for possible interference on the winner was disallowed.

“We knew she was a nice filly, we really did,” said Garland Williamson (Hillsbrook Farms), who bred and owns the daughter of Tiz the Law out of the unraced Union Rags mare Bit of Dixie. “To have a horse like this and win a race like this, it is extra special. That’s what keeps people in the horse business. This filly put it all together today.”

Trained by Dale Desruisseaux, the bay won her curtain-raising race on July 12 at Woodbine.

Sent off as the 5-2 choice, Dixie Law rallied to notch a 1 ½-length score in the six-furlong race over an E.P. Taylor course listed as good.

Last time out, in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) on September 13, Dixie Law, at 48-1, finished sixth, just 2 ½-lengths behind the winner, in the one-mile inner turf test for 2-year-olds.

“She got sick before the Catch a Glimpse (August 16),” noted Desruisseaux. “It would have been really nice to have that race going into the Natalma. Who knows if we win the race? But I think we would have been in a lot better situation than we were, just foundation and fitness-wise.

“She broke horribly [today], she broke to the right, but in hindsight, how fast they were going played out in our favour. She was able to settle and get into a nice rhythm and luckily, they came back to her.” ​ ​

Kyle MacDonald is the groom.

Dixie Law paid $10.70 for today’s win.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine