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Island Winter Wins Battle of Favorites at Thistledown

    The problem of short fields continues to plague the sport at many venues, but it hasn’t necessarily impacted the quality of racing.

    The second race at Thistledown yesterday was a prime example as a pair of scratches resulted in a field of four going six furlongs over the main track. Island Winter, a 3-year-old filly by Bahamian Squall bred by Donald Dizney, was 4/5 on the tote board with Guillermo Rodriguez, but she had to face a tough foe in Catch the Rainbow, who was also 4/5.

    The duo broke together as a team, but Rodriguez eased Island Winter back to second and she tracked her rival through fractions of :22.88 and :47.20. Rodriguez sent his filly up to contest the lead on the turn and the two battled gamely down the stretch, with Island Winter drawing off late to score by 1 3/4 lengths. She paid $3.60 after getting the distance in 1:13.88. 

    In her last five starts, Island Winter has posted two victories and three seconds and the winner’s check of $7,670 increased her earnings to $28,689.