BackTrack: La Gran Bailadora Makes Grade at Turfway

All it took was a return to Turfway Park for La Gran Bailadora to show her best. Winner of the Likely Exchange Stakes at the track in March, La Gran Bailadora captured the Distorted Humor Kentucky Cup Distaff Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park Sept. 24.

Last of seven in the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Cup Distaff for the first six furlongs, La Gran Bailadora rallied to win by a length over Bella Medaglia for owner-breeder Tracy Farmer.

La Gran Bailadora also has placed in three stakes this year, including two at Turfway. She missed winning the Wintergreen Stakes by a head in a runner-up effort and finished third in the Fairway Fun Stakes. At Arlington Park, La Gran Bailadora, a daughter of Afleet Alex, ran second in the Arlington Matron Stakes (G3).

Farmer, owner of Shadowlawn Farm near Midway, Ky., has raced a number of big winners over the years. Albert the Great and Commentator were New York grade 1 winners, and Sun King and homebred Sir Shackleton  were grade 2 winners. Commentator won two runnings of the Whitney Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Farmer bought La Gran Bailadora's dam, Affirmed Dancer, for $150,000 at the 1999 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. A weanling at the time, Affirmed Dancer was consigned by Three Chimneys Farm, agent. As a runner, Affirmed Dancer was graded stakes-placed and earned $211,100.

Farmer sold Affirmed Dancer in foal to Sun King for $22,000 at the 2009 Keeneland November sale to Stallion Company, agent. Three Chimneys consigned as agent. Affirmed Dancer produced a filly from that mating.

Affirmed Dancer produced a U S Ranger  colt this year for Ben P. Walden Jr. and P.W. Madden. Affirmed Dancer, who is kept at Walden's Pauls Mill near Versailles, Ky., is in foal to Bellamy Road.

Afleet Alex has sired 15 stakes winners, including additional 2011 added-money winners Harissa (G2), Bizzy Caroline (G3T), and Miss Valentine. Afleet Alex stands at Antony Beck's Gainesway Farm near Lexington. His 2011 fee was $25,000.