One of the most thrilling races across the country Saturday was captured by one of the most intriguing fillies in her class as undefeated Amy's Challenge (Artie Schiller) survived a stretch-long duel with Mia Mischief (Into Mischief) to capture Oaklawn's six-furlong Dixie Belle S. by a neck. Previously a two-time winner at Minnesota's Canterbury park as a juvenile, Amy's Challenge emerged from her victory in good order Sunday and is likely to target a stakes race over a route of ground next, according to trainer Mac Robertson.
Robertson said the filly is a candidate for the Feb. 10 one-mile Martha Washington S., but would also stretch out in the Mar. 10 GIII Honeybee S. or the Apr. 13 GIII Fantasy S.
“Personally, I'd like to run March 10 and then April 13,” Robertson said. “We'll see. Good race–she was tired at the end. She had four works in four months. I'm hoping she'll improve.”
Amy's Challenge bobbled at the start of the Dixie Belle, but quickly recovered and tracked Mia Mischief through blazing fractions of :21.48 for a quarter-mile and :44.49 for a half-mile. The pair became fully engaged in the stretch, with Amy's Challenge surging to the front in the final stride.
The dark bay, a $20,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase, caught the eye of many with a pair of wins over males that produced Beyer Speed Figures of 91 and 92, respectively, at Canterbury last summer. She was originally slated to make her two-turn debut in Keeneland's GI Alciabiades S. Oct. 6, but ultimately missed the race due to muscle cramping.
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