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Soldier's Dancer flies late to capture year's first Derby
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Soldier's Dancer came from behind to win the Tropical Park Derby
(Jim Lisa Photos) |
Herman Heinlein's SOLDIER'S DANCER (Lost Soldier) commenced his run six-wide
turning for home and powered clear to a three-quarters of a length win in the
$100,000
Tropical Park Derby (G3) over the firm Calder turf on Monday. Content
to rate toward the rear early under Cornelio Velasquez, the gray sophomore
began to pick up momentum turning for home and closed with a fury to pass
pacesetters Sedgefield (Smart Strike) and Storm In May (Tiger Ridge) late for
trainer David Vivian. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:48 4/5, and the
favorite paid $5, $3 and $2.60 at 3-2."He showed me today that even without any pace up front to run at, he
could still finish and give whatever you needed to get the job done,"
Velasquez said. "His last quarter-mile was very fast."
Sedgefield was always prominent and did well to earn the place while 1 3/4
lengths clear of his nearest pursuer. The 11-1 shot completed the $73.20 exacta,
while rewarding his backers with mutuels of $7.80 and $5.20. Storm In May was
another half-length clear in third, paying $4 while finishing off the $261.60
trifecta as the 6-1 fourth choice. Rutledge Cat (Tale of the Cat) closed mildly
in traffic to sit on the bottom of the $858 superfecta at nearly 4-1. Delightful
Kiss (Kissin Kris), On My Dime (Mizzen Mast), Pickapocket (Mecke), Loose Leaf
(Notebook) and Northern Academy (Northern Afleet) completed the order of finish,
while Drums of Thunder (Concerto), Green Vegas (Trippi) and Imawildandcrazyguy
(Wild Event) were withdrawn.
Soldier's Dancer adds a second stakes win to his resume, following a tally in
the Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf S. two prior, and sports a career mark of
9-4-2-2, $183,420. The gelding also placed in the Kris S. S. and Fasig-Tipton
Turf Dash S.
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The winner was bred in the Sunshine State and brought a final bid of $4,000
at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale. He is out of Heather's Dancer
(Gate Dancer) and has an unnamed two-year-old full-brother.
Soldier's Dancer is expected to make his next start at Gulfstream Park,
possibly on dirt in the February 3 Holy Bull S. (G3).
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