Danse Macabre, Freedom Speaks Win at Kentucky Downs

Every owner has a different journey in Thoroughbred racing. They can remember details that may seem obscure to those who have never been where they have been and all of the milestones along the way. 

Denise and Steve Smith won't soon forget the events of Sept. 13.

Their filly Danse Macabre won the $500,000 Ainsworth Untapable Stakes by a nose at Kentucky Downs, delivering their first stakes win. She narrowly held off even-money favorite Alluring Angel , who rallied but couldn't overcome a slow start. 

"We are very proud of Danse and her gritty and determined performance," Denise Smith said. "Kelsey Danner has managed this filly very well, and Adam Beschizza gave one of his best, calculated rides we have seen."

Smith, along with husband Steve under the Elements Racing banner, co-own Danse Macabre with NBS Stable.

In her third start on turf, Danse Macabre came out of the gate with Beschizza rating behind frontrunners Numero Seis  and Recinto Rompere . Beschizza maintained that measured approach until about halfway through this 6 1/2-furlong test, when he and Danse Macabre made their push. The pressure on the leaders was more than they could resist. 

John Ballantyne of NBS said, "It was an unbelievably courageous effort given the cadence of the race not being entirely favorable for her."

Danse Macabre, 2-2-0 in four starts, stopped the clock in 1:16.62. The race had fractions of :22.45, :46.88, and 1:10.46. A $2 bet paid $5.60.

She is the daughter of Army Mule   and Sylphide , by Blame  . Danse Macabre was purchased for $55,000 from this year's Ocala Breeders March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training from consignor Tom McCrocklin.

Danner said, "This was exciting, especially having a nice 2-year-old like that. She has done everything solid from the beginning. We just had to find some turf for her."

Denise Smith added, "We feel privileged to have a filly of this caliber who has exceeded all of our expectations. What an amazing start for a 2-year-old."

Freedom Speaks Takes Music City Stakes

Anyone who said patience is a virtue can rest assured those words were heeded by Jose Lezcano Tuesday when riding Freedom Speaks . 

Rather than trying to push the pace, Lezcano bided his time, racing among the first five to six fillies in the 6 1/2-furlong, $500,000 Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey Music City Stakes. He patiently waited for opportunities to maneuver Freedom Speaks between her rivals. 

Racing four deep through the stretch, they put on an all-out blitz, moving to the front in the final strides, winning in 1:15.35. The race featured fractions of :21.63, :44.78, and 1:08.95.

"On the turn, it looked, after she was coming down the hill, that maybe she came off the bridle," said trainer Jeremiah Englehart. "I was a little worried, but I saw Jose looking for a place to go and that gave me a good feeling the rest of the way. The rest of it was her and him."

The win was the first for Englehart at Kentucky Downs.

He said, "I had this race on the calendar and it was something I was shooting for even before the allowance at Saratoga. "I was really excited about it. My wife and kids, we were all watching it."

A daughter of American Freedom  , out of Wicked Speed , by Macho Uno , Freedom Speaks was bred by Hartmut Malluche and Silesia Farm. She is owned by Carol Reitman, who bought her for $145,000 from the Best A Luck Farm consignment at the Ocala Breeders Sales Company's 2022 Winter Mixed Sale. 

Freedom Speaks returned $12.56 and improved to 3-1-0 in four starts.

Video: Race 6 (AOC) at LAD on 9/13/22

Video: Race 7 (MSW) at LAD on 9/13/22