Dixie Law takes Ruling Angel Stakes

May 16, 2026

Toronto, May 16, 2026— Dixie Law, launched her 3-year-old campaign in style, closing gamely to nail 10-1 pacesetter Meilani on the wire and win Saturday’s $100,000 Ruling Angel Stakes presented by Ketel One at Woodbine.

Trained by Dale Desruisseaux for owner/breeder Garland Willliamson, the daughter of Tiz the Law broke evenly and was fifth early. 10-1 pacesetter Meilani, breaking from the outside, cleared the field led the through an opening quarter mile in 22:74.

Advancing steadily around the turn, Dixie Law improved to third, while being flanked to her outside by Lakota Lady. Undefeated Luster was a half-length clear of that pair in 2nd, while Meilani rated kindly, leading by a length and a half through a half-mile in 45:08.

Saving ground around the turn, Dixie Law dug in turning for home, took aim at Meilani and Luster inside the eight-pole and prevailed by a nose over a valiant Meilani in an exciting finish.

An elated Hernandez pumped his fist crossing the wire but needed every inch of the 7-furlong distance to prevail.

“We had a good trip. They had to work hard. It's not for how much. We made it,' said a beaming Hernandez, who has now piloted Dixie Law in all six of her lifetime starts.

Dixie Law earned a Sovereign nomination in the 2-year-old Female category after winning three of five starts as a 2-year-old, including back-to-back, off the pace scores in the Cup & Saucer vs males and Grade 3-Mazarine Stakes respectively.

“We thought she was going to be a better 3-year-old than she was a 2-year-old, but that's what you think in the horse business,” said Willamson

"You anticipate them getting better and better. She's grown a lot. She's matured a lot. I think her nerves are less than they were a year ago."

Racing on Lasix for the first time, Dixie Law won sprinting on the main track for the first time. The Ruling Angel triumph puts her squarely on the trail to the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Stella Artois to be run at Woodbine on July 19^th.

'I think it's six weeks to the Selene,” said Desruisseaux, of the Grade 3 route test to be run at Woodbine June 27. “We'll probably go there and hopefully to the Oaks."

Desruisseaux’s hot start to the 2026 Woodbine meet continues, but he was concerned that his filly was making her season debut versus a field, that appeared on paper, to have a fitness edge.

“Any time you have races over your belt, it's definitely an advantage, but she's trained well all spring and I was pretty confident."

“She had a great winter down at Paul Sharp's. Unbelievable job sending her up fit and ready. Just maintaining since then.”

After the race, an objection was lodged by the trainer of Frosty Mojito against Dixie Law, alleging interference but no action was taken.

The 6-furlong running time was 1:09:50, while the final time in the 7-furlong stamina sprint was 1:22:58.

Hard luck runner up Meilani finished second a length and quarter ahead of Luster, who suffered her first career defeat in three starts, while trying a synthetic surface for the first time.

Dixie Law, listed at 2-1 on the morning line, floated up to 6-1 at post time and paid $15.60.

The bay filly out of Bit of Dixie by Union Rags, picked up career win number four from six starts.

Phil McSween, Woodbine