After the favorite assumption justifiable scratched by fever, Dancing on ice moved to the odds favorites in the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita . Park January 8th.
3 years old blur filly did not disappoint in the seven-stage race, winning it 1:22.78.
With Flavien Prat, Ice Dancing took the time to start off the field of five.
Processing take the lead, duel with Fast and shiny , who traded positions with her before opening the double plus length advantage. The parody leads after a quarter mile at scale: 22.02, followed by Fast and Shiny at scale: 44.68 and 1:09.29.
By the time they crossed the half-mile pole, Ice Dancing had gone three laps. With a quarter of a mile to go, Prat urged her on and she answered, leading with the rest of the way. Purebred Bass Stables unfinished, showing she has more than enough gas in the tank and pulls away 3 1/4 lengths.
Prat said: “She jumped out of there really well and it felt like the pace was strong, so I tried to keep myself a little bit slow and it felt like she was moving well. “She responded well when I asked her to move.”
What may have aided Ice Dance’s mission is to close the gap.
Her last two races—the Chandelier Stock (G2) and the maiden special weight class—were 1 1/16 mile and one mile, respectively. Going from running a mile or so to just under a mile has allowed Ice Dancing to showcase its strength and endurance.
Coach Richard Mandella joked about deciding to run a shorter distance. “Pure mathematics,” said the Hall of Famer. “Just divide by a certain percentage.”
The win also gives Ice Dancing 10 points to qualify for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 5.
satin doll Fast and Shiny, Parody, and coconut hunting round to end order. Ice Dancing paid $3 to win.
Mandella talked about what could happen next for her. “She’s a big, fat girl, so Las Virgenes (G3) is a big possibility. Most likely. … We’ll see.”
Ice dancing is outside of the Henny Hughes mare’s Welcome Dance. She is 2-0-2 in five starts with earnings of $219,600. Ice dancing was one of her five ponies, four of which started and won. Her male stands at Darley for $10,000.
Prat praised Basses and Mandella.
“It’s great that I win for Mr. Mandella and Basses. They were the first to give me the opportunity when I first came here and I’m really grateful,” said the French native.
Videotapes: Santa Ynez S. (G3)
