Article taken from the Daily Racing Forum

Acoma ($17.80) gave David Carroll a head start on what the veteran trainer hopes is a big week ahead when the filly surged past Keep the Peace for a half-length victory in the Grade 3, $109,000 Dogwood Stakes.

With Albarado riding, Acoma was fifth most of the way before splitting rivals near the quarter pole and angling out with her winning drive. Secret Gypsy, the leader to midstretch, faded to third, another 3 3/4 lengths back behind Keep the Peace, the 2-1 favorite. Then came Alina, Tiz to Dream, and Temper Temper.

Carroll will head to New York this week to run Denis of Cork as the likely third choice in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

Acoma, an EMPIRE MAKER filly bred and owned by Helen Alexander and Helen Groves, was the second longest shot in a field of six 3-year-old fillies. She finished the one-turn mile in 1:34.56.

Acoma was making her stakes debut after winning 2 of 3 starts to begin her career. She is a half-sister to the established sire Arch, being out of Aurora, a daughter of Althea.