Dorth Vader Strikes Down Foes in 46-1 Davona Dale Upset

The famous line from Obi-Wan Kenobi in the 1977 Star Wars film 'A New Hope'—"If you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine"—must have been one that John Ropes' homebred filly Dorth Vader  took to heart March 4 at Gulfstream Park.

Utterly dismissed at 46-1 after an off-the-board finish in the Gasparilla Stakes last out at Tampa Bay Downs, the force was with the daughter of Girvin   as she struck to a 4 3/4 length score in the one-mile Davona Dale Stakes (G3).

The win provided the filly and her trainer Michael Yates with their first victory in graded company, and gave her 50 points towards the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.

"It's a great feeling. It hasn't really sunk in yet, to be honest with you... She trained great going into the race and looked like she should win," Yates said. "It rained the day before (the Gasparilla), and the track was really heavy on the rail, and she just didn't show up. We drew a line through it. She came out of the race well and trained better than ever, so we moved forward."

Shooting smoothly from the gate onto the fast Hallendale Beach main track, the filly stalked the pace in third while Leave No Trace  led the opening quarter in :23.01. Red Carpet Ready  quickened to take command in :45.06 and streaked into the top of the stretch in 1:10.02 under urging from Luis Saez. Though just as quickly, she began to fade as Dorth Vader, with Miguel Vasquez at the helm, began a charge to take the lead in 1:23.41.

Dorth Vader shook loose from the field and bounded home to complete the mile in 1:37.23. Closest to her in second was Guns n' Graces , who took home 20 points towards the Oaks. A fatigued Red Carpet Ready just lasted for third, good for 15 points. Infinite Diamond  took 10 for fourth, and Lynx  earned five for fifth place.

The victorious Florida-bred filly, who paid $95.40 to win, improved her record to 4-0-1 from seven starts and increased her earnings to $327,508. She was produced from the Yonaguska  mare Hardcore Candy , with five winners from six foals to race.

"We're dreaming of it (Kentucky Oaks). Why not? We nominated already to the (Gulfstream Oaks, G2). Right now, we're just going to enjoy today and see how she comes out of the race and move forward," Yates said. "We'll talk to Mr. Ropes about it, and we'll make a decision. She'll help us decide."

Perhaps as Dorth Vader and her connections continue down the winding road to the first Friday in May, they will heed Yoda's advice—"Patience you must have, my young Padawan."