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Dubawi Heights wraps up Yellow Ribbon About six hours after Stacelita coasted in Saturday's Grade 1 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park, she was further flattered by Dubawi Heights' efficient victory in the Grade 1, $250,000 Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita. Sent off the 2-1 favorite off her commendable second to Stacelita in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Park on August 13, Dubawi Heights duly delivered and stamped her ticket to a rematch in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. It also capped a career day for her regular rider Joel Rosario, who had earlier guided Creative Cause to victory in the Norfolk and Zazu to a late-running score in the Lady's Secret. "I don't think I've ever won three Grade 1s in one day," Rosario said. "When you're in a race, you never know what can happen." "The race really went to plan," said Simon Callaghan, who trains Dubawi Heights for a partnership consisting of his father Neville Callaghan, Clodagh McStay, M.V. Magnier and Annabel Wyatt. "There didn't look to be too much speed in the race, and she's the sort of filly that you can tactically put her anywhere -- she can sit on the pace, or she can rate just in behind. It's a perfect result, and we're very happy." Dubawi Heights, who had won four straight in Southern California prior to running into Stacelita, benefited from a perfect stalk-and-pounce trip back at her home course. As her stablemate Turning Top clicked off steady fractions of :24, :48 4/5 and 1:13 1/5, Rosario had Dubawi Heights well placed in second. Dubawi Heights drew alongside Turning Top while reaching the mile mark in 1:36 4/5. Taking command on cue, she got first run on the closers and opened up a safe margin down the stretch. Cozi Rosie recovered from a spot of traffic to close furiously, but she was too late. Dubawi Heights held on comfortably by three-quarters of a length while finishing 1 1/4 firm-turf miles in 2:00 2/5. The winner provided mutuels of $6.40, $3.40 and $2.80. "She gives you everything she has and she tries very hard," Rosario said. "Every time she runs she gets better. Before, you had to ask her to be close to the pace and now, she does it on her own." Trainer John Sadler was happy with Cozi Rosie's effort in defeat. "Ran great," Sadler said. "We got stopped on the turn a little bit, and the pace was slow, but she finished very fast, so we thought she ran very well." Harmonious got up for third, another length back. Turning Top crossed the wire in fourth, trailed by Cambina, Private Affair, City to City, Malibu Pier and Medaglia d'Amour. Dubawi Heights has now earned millionaire status, with $1,047,696 to her credit from a record of 14-5-4-1. Although unable to break her maiden at two in England, the daughter of Dubawi was good enough to garner a Group 2 placing in the Lowther. The four-year-old bay has overcome illness and injuries since her arrival in the United States. Dubawi Heights scored her overdue maiden win at Hollywood last November, cleared her entry-level allowance condition at Santa Anita next time out in April, and rapidly climbed the class ladder with victories in the Grade 3 Wilshire on April 30 and the Grade 1 Gamely on May 30. "I think we'll probably head toward the Breeders' Cup," Callaghan said. "She's improved with every race, and she'll go there I'm sure with a great chance. The form stacks up good. It makes sense, I think, to go there." Cozi Rosie is also likely bound for Churchill Downs. "I hope so," Sadler said of a Breeders' Cup bid. "I think so, as long as she comes out of it good." Bred by Aston Mullins Stud in Great Britain, Dubawi Heights is out of the winning Suave Dancer mare Rosie's Posy, who is herself a half-sister to English highweight older sprint mare Tante Rose.
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