6th-GPX, $39,000, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 1:35 2/5, fm.
DANCE CHAMPION (c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Dance Away Capote {GSW, $586,773}, by Capote) was a touch chilly on the board at 8-1 for his Jan. 1 debut going a bit further than this and sat a midpack trip before rallying past a couple of rivals to round out the trifecta. The homebred firmed into 23-10 favoritism in the last couple of clicks for this second go and validated that confidence with a convincing performance. Drawn outside in post nine, Dance Champion was widest of a line of five out of the stretch for the first time, but was able to tuck in for some cover behind the well-supported H Town Brown (Big Brown) turning up the backstretch. He advanced into contention midway on the turn, was four wide into the lane and ran away from the opposition to score by three solid lengths. Charge Now (Tiznow), the half-brother to GI Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver (Maria's Mon), saved ground for most of the opening six furlongs, but could not go with the winner late and settled for a good second. H Town Brown was third. “Nice horse, nice run,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “He's a fit horse today, and he's got a career ahead of him. I'm a lucky man.” Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $27,600. Click for the brisnet.com chart or VIDEO.
O/B-Robert S Evans (KY). T-Christophe Clement.
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