2026.02.14 OJC Dixie Belle Stakes Recap

150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes Recap
Compiled by Robert Yates |

FRENCH FRICTION – Dixie Belle Stakes – 48th Running

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

For Immediate Release

$150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes

Another stakes race at Oaklawn, another stakes victory for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

French Friction took the lead shortly after the start and drew off to a 5 ¾-length victory over Have Faith in the $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Ridden by Cristian Torres, French Friction remained unbeaten in two lifetime starts and provided Casse with his eighth stakes victory in just 19 racing days this season at Oaklawn. Casse and French Friction’s owner, D. J. Stable (Jonathan and Leonard Green), teamed a week earlier at Oaklawn to win the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) for older fillies and mares with champion Nitrogen.

French Friction, who went off at 2-1, was a six-length winner of her career debut in maiden special weight company Dec. 27 at Oaklawn. Breaking from the rail in the Dixie Belle, French Friction was able to establish a forward position early, then shrugged off long-shot dueling leader Evolution on the turn. French Friction opened a four-length lead in midstretch and coasted home, covering six furlongs over a sloppy, sealed track in 1:10.18.

Have Faith, eighth early, finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Paving, who was followed, in order, by previously unbeaten even-money favorite Little Miss Curlin, Wakuda, Woodstock, Evolution, Revera and Glazin’ Fury. Just Bluffing was scratched.

Little Miss Curlin, a daughter of 2020 Arkansas Derby first-division winner Charlatan, had won her first four career starts, including three stakes, by a combined 18 ¼ front-running lengths. The Dixie Belle was her first start in open company, over an off track and outside Louisiana.

French Friction paid $6.40, $4.60 and $3.40. Have Faith paid $12.40 and $7.20. Paving paid $4.60.

French Friction, by 2018 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Oaklawn Handicap winner City of Light, raised her career earnings to $141,000. She was purchased for $250,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Racing resumes Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CST.

Dixie Belle Quotes

Winning Assistant Trainer Caden Aurther (French Friction): “She handled that (off track) perfect. Had a great ride and a great trip. She’s an amazing filly and she proved it today. She’s all class.”

Winning Jockey Cristian Torres (French Friction): “I was breaking from the rail, sloppy track, bad weather. So, I just wanted to be in front. I didn’t want to get all that mud in her face. I just broke and let her do her thing. She’s very special. She’s a really good filly. (Trainer) Mark (Casse) didn’t give me any instructions. He said: ‘Just have a fun ride.’ ”