Blue Dancer Steps Up to Canadian Derby

Blue Dancer is a Northlands specialist, having won all five of his starts there, including three stakes in a row. He has registered front-running daylight victories in the Western Canada Handicap, Ky Alta Handicap, and Count Lathum Handicap in his last three times out, in the process defeating several others in the 11-furlong Canadian Derby field. The only defeat in his eight-race career came in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) last year, where he tired to finish 10th of 11.

 

Academic leaves from the rail. In June she won the Woodbine Oaks at 66-1, then tried the Queen's Plate, where she dropped far back and did not finish. She also figures to be part of the pace. Bodhisattva contested the Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes (gr. I), although he was eased and finished last after winning the Federico Tesio Stakes. In his most recent effort he was well-beaten in the Pegasus Stakes (gr. III).

 

Xtreme Denigray won the Alberta Derby in July, his best race to date. He needs continued improvement to win here. Cowboys Don't Cry ran a strong second last time out in the Alberta Derby and his off-the-pace style might suit here. However, he was far back of Blue Dancer in both the Count Lathum and Ky Alta.

 

Purple Heaven is another that has tested Blue Dancer unsuccessfully. He finished second in the Count Lathum and third in both the Ky Alta and Western Canada Handicap. 

 

Witt Six has proven a tough customer at a mile or less and has good early speed. He has the benefit of starting outside Blue Dancer and Academic, and could be part of a very quick early tempo. The other filly in the Canadian Derby is Quality Lane, a last-out winner of the Northlands Park Oaks Handicap, closing from off the pace. She shows a good late kick and has been first or second six times in seven races over the track.

 

Centrefire ran Blue Dancer to a good second in the Ky Alta, but faltered to a distant fourth in the Count Lathum. He will need to step it up here. Aztec Key was 10 1/4 lengths off Blue Dancer in the Count Lathum, finishing third. He's hit the board five of six times at Northlands Park. Afleet in Time has been running in claiming company most of the year, while Timeless Tales is a maiden who was third in the Ky Alta.