The results of the third race at Beulah Park on March 1st are in! As I mentioned on my last post, the winner of the five furlong claiming race would receive membership in our Veterans of the Turf Club. The results of the race were very, very close, with only a head separating the top two finishers. But there was only one winner, and I’m proud to announce that the newest member of the Veterans of the Turf Club is none other than Garden Dancer!
Garden Dancer is a nine-year-old bay son of Sandpit, out of the Green Paradise mare Garden Paradise. He was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Williamson and was born on May 24th, 2002 in Kentucky. Here is his racing record to date:
Starts Firsts Seconds Thirds Earnings
53 10 9 11 $44,314
You can watch the replay at Beulah Park’s web site. Here is the link:
Once you reach the Beulah Park home page, click on the “Live Racing” link on the far left. Then click on the “Race Replays” link. This will take you to a calendar, upon which you will click March 1st. This will bring up the list of races from that day. Click on race three and a replay of the video will pop up. Enjoy!
About Garden Dancer’s Career
Garden Dancer made his first start on May 13th, 2006 at River Downs. Four years old at the time, he finished last of twelve in a 5-1/2 furlong maiden claiming event. His next two starts weren’t much better, as he finished eighth both times in maiden claiming company. Then, without warning, he broke his maiden on August 29th, 2006 in a shocking upset, scoring by 1 ¾ lengths going 5-1/2 furlongs at 34.30-1.
Over the next four years, Garden Dancer competed in numerous claiming events at a half-dozen tracks, winning a total of seven races while finishing second eight times and third eleven times. A tough gelding, he started 19 times in 2009, racing every month of the year. However, his finest form has been shown in 2011.
On January 31st, 2011 Garden Dancer came out for a 5-1/2 furlong claiming event at Beulah Park. The narrow favorite at 2.10-1, he won by 1 ¾ lengths in a wire-to-wire performance. On February 18th he ran in a nearly identical event and finished second, beaten just a head after leading in the stretch. Finally, we come to the March 1st race, in which he was sent off as the second choice at 1.80-1.
In the field of seven, Garden Dancer broke next-to-last but quickly settled into fourth position. Favored Alter Offering bounded away to take the lead, with Manhasset Indian tracking him in second. He was followed by Rat Like Cunning in third, with My Money fifth and East On Stroop trailing the field.
The opening quarter mile was run in :22.78. Rat Like Cunning made an early move to grab second and loomed a serious threat as the field rounded the turn. Manhasset Indian was dropping back, while Garden Dancer still sat fourth, well off the lead.
Entering the homestretch it was still Alter Offering on the lead, but Rat Like Cunning was poised to take the lead. Garden Dancer was too far back to possibly get up in time.
But then he began to close in.
With ground devouring strides, he charged home relentlessly. Closer and closer he came toward Rat Like Cumming. It would only be a matter of time before he got to the lead!
But another threat loomed in the form of My Money, who at odds of 23.70-1 was coming home even quicker than Garden Dancer. An interesting situation was at hand. Rat Like Cumming was on the lead, but was soon to be passed by Garden Dancer. In turn, Garden Dancer would quickly be passed by My Money. The only possible way that Garden Dancer could win was if he could hit the wire right after passing Rat Like Cumming and before he himself was passed by My Money!
It looked impossible. Yet somehow Garden Dancer and his jockey, Rafael Hernandez, pulled it off. They took the lead from Rat Like Cumming in deep stretch and held off My Money to win the race by a thrilling head, stopping the clock in 1:00.17.
It was a remarkable performance indeed, one which brought Garden Dancer’s 2011 record to two wins and a second from three starts. He has earned $4,900 this year.
Therefore, I am proud to declare Garden Dancer the newest addition to the Veterans of the Turf Club. Please give a big round of applause (or perhaps just leave a comment!) celebrating this happy day!
Welcome aboard, Garden Dancer!
-Keelerman
Congrats to Garden Dancer! I though that Rat Like Cunning ran well. Finishing fourth, beaten 1 length, at age 10 isn't too bad!
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