Dark Hollow Farm and Hillwood Stable’s first-time starter DRESS UP looked divine in the winner’s circle after winning a maiden special weight at Laurel Park on March 21. Needing every yard of the five and a half-furlong test, she rallied from a half-dozen lengths back, swung wide on the turn and ran greenly down the stretch to catch the leader in a thriller at the wire, winning by the bob of her nose.
The 3-year-old daughter of Not For Love was training smartly for her debut with Rodney Jenkins, and went off as the 2-1 favorite in the field of eight. DRESS UP is the third winner from as many foals for stakes winner Dress Grey, a daughter of Lion Hearted who won the Smart Halo S. at Laurel.
Dress Grey’s dam, the Secret Hello mare Chemise, produced five foals by Not For Love, all winners, including stakes winner Coquettish and three-time stakes-placed Hello Lover, who had the second most wins in the nation in 2012 (with nine) and has earned $399,055. Chemise – whose nine starters all won – is also the dam of Maryland Million Ladies S. winner Miss Lombardi.
