By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Dancin Lou has
been here before. So when he beats some of the best horses in training, it’s no
big surprise.
The proof? His spectacular mile at
the Meadowlands Saturday night, when he took down a talented field, one that
included 3-5 favorite Backstreet Shadow, who was in search of his fifth
straight win, in the featured Preferred for pacers.
Why was it not shocking? Last year,
among his 11 wins, were victories in the Breeders Crown (beating Bettor’s Wish
and Captain Crunch) and the Tattersalls (Southwind Ozzi) as the now 4-year-old
son of Sweet Lou-Dancewiththebest earned $567,101 during his sophomore
campaign.
In his 2020 debut Saturday night,
driver Dexter Dunn used a perfectly timed move with the Tahnee Camilleri
trainee down the backside to notch his 13th career victory in 32
starts.
Tookadiveoffdipper showed early speed
and cut out fractions of :27 and :55.4. Given the slow pace of the second
quarter, Backstreet Shadow was on the move making up ground first-over after
vacating the five-hole just after the half. As Backstreet Shadow had his sights
set on the leader, Dunn moved Dancin Lou out of the three-hole to get in front
of the favorite at the five-eighths.
“He was feeling good in the
three-hole but we had to come out,” said Dunn. “He was fighting me just a
little bit, and it took me an extra five strides to get him out. I knew Timmy
[Tetrick, driving Backstreet Shadow] would be on my back, but coming to
three-quarters, you have to go for it.”
Dancin Lou then methodically made his
way to the top at the head of the stretch and continued to do good things
through the stretch, extending his advantage after surging to the lead at the
eighth pole. He hit the wire 1½ lengths in front of Tookadiveoffdipper. Bechers
Brook A was third with Backstreet Shadow fourth. The time for the mile was
1:50.
“I think he was,” said Dunn when
asked if Dancin Lou was overlooked last year. “He wasn’t in the North America
Cup or the Meadowlands Pace but he did a great job at the Red Mile and in the
Breeders Crown. He’s one of those horses, you give him the right trip and he’s
pretty potent. Given how good he was tonight, I think he’ll be able to do a
good job against the best aged pacers in training this year.”
As the third choice in the wagering,
Dancin Lou returned $16.60 to win. His lifetime earnings now stand at $592,409
for owners David Kryway and 1362313 Ontario LTD.
A LITTLE MORE: Dunn led the driver’s colony with
four scores on the night, among the winners was a good-looking 3-year-old colt
from the Chris Ryder barn, Moneyman Hill, who completed his mile in 1:52.4 as
the 1-5 public choice. … Betting remained steady at the industry’s handle
leader as a total of $2,868,359 was put in play, marking the 11th
straight program where wagering exceeded the $2.5-million mark. … Next Friday
and Saturday, in an effort to get horses raced who have been idle during the
coronavirus shutdown, the Meadowlands will card 18-race programs that will get
underway at 6 p.m.
