Dakotah Blue tries stakes company in Ontario Colleen

Paulick Report · Jul 22, 2026 20:23 · 3 min read

Dakotah Blue Tries Stakes Company In Ontario Colleen — toronto-onmay-3-2026woodbine-racetrackr3dakotah-blue-jockey-jose-camposwoodbine-michael-burns-photo

Flying Zee Racing Stables’ Dakotah Blue steps up to the stakes ranks when she takes on eight rivals in the $175,000 Ontario Colleen (G3T), a 1-mile race on the inner turf for 3-year-old fillies, Saturday at Woodbine. Trained by Rachel Halden, the daughter of Mendelssohn out of the Empire Maker mare ...

Trained by Rachel Halden, the daughter of Mendelssohn out of the Empire Maker mare Empire Lady debuted last July in a six-furlong sprint over the E.P. Taylor turf. Tenth at the half, Dakotah Blue was full of run late to finish fifth, 2 ¾ lengths back of the winner.

“She ran very well at 2, as a first-time starter with a tough post (two),” said Halden. “It was a very encouraging effort. We were all quite pleased with how she did in that debut. She doesn’t have the size, but we knew what we had was a very athletic filly. She has a good mind, but she has some personality and character, too.”

Dakotah Blue was put on the shelf after that race before returning to race action on May 3, when she broke her maiden courtesy of a 1 ¼-length score at six furlongs on the Woodbine main track.

“We had her tabbed for another race after that first one and she came up with a little issue that required time,” noted Halden. “So, she had a significant amount of time off. But when she came back and started working towards getting back to the races, she was working very well and ran to what she was showing us in the morning, which was very pleasing.”

Bred in Kentucky by Grantley Acres, the filly heads into the Ontario Colleen off a hard-charging fourth at 7 ½ furlongs over the course on June 6.

Seventh and 13 lengths behind the leader at the half-mile mark, Dakotah Blue rallied emphatically down the lane to finish 1 ¼ lengths behind the winner.

“It was a very tough race," said Halden. "In my opinion, she ran a very credible race, one where she had another outside post to contend with. She looked like she was looking for a little more ground. We had this race on the radar and then we were of the thought as to whether we should try to squeeze another race in, but that would have left us too close to this race. We decided to bite the bullet and wait for this race.

“She has a good turn of foot and is always running on. This little bit of a stretch out should suit her well.”

The dark bay was a $25,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland Association November Breeding Stock Sale.

Regulo Perez is the groom.

Recent works: On July 12, Dakotah Blue breezed four furlongs over the turf training track in :47.20. One week later, she traveled four panels in :49.00 on the main track.

“She’s been working very well,” said Halden. “She’s a good work horse. She goes out there with purpose and she manages to please you every time. She might be little, but she believes she’s big and mighty. She goes out and trains with that attitude and trains quite forwardly.”

Fast Facts: Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse (he sends out Happy Destination and Slippers this year) has won the race a record eight times, including seven of the past nine editions. Patrick Husbands holds the record for most wins by a jockey with five.

Wagering menu for the Ontario Colleen: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10) / 0.20 Pick 4 (Races 8-9-10-11) / $1 Swinger

Field for the Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3T)