Beschizza cuts corner with Danse Macabre en route to Mamzelle victory
?q=100)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Danse Macabre, given a cagey ride by Adam Beschizza, put her versatility on full display when speeding to victory in the $224,750 Mamzelle Stakes on the Champions Day card Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
Even when coming off a victory in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride when going a two-turn mile, Danse Macabre proved quick enough to seize the lead in the 5 1/2-furlong Mamzelle by the time a field of nine 3-year-old fillies passed the quarter pole as Beschizza found room along the inner rail to make his decisive move.
Danse Macabre, trained by Kelsey Danner, opened a clear lead in midstretch before finishing 2 1/4 lengths clear of American Affair in second. Anna’s Arabesque was another neck back in third, with the two Wesley Ward favorites, Shootoutthelights and Lady Hollywood, both fading late to finish seventh and ninth, respectively.
:: DRF Kentucky Derby Package: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more.
Danse Macabre, a Kentucky-bred by Army Mule, now has won four of seven starts for her owners, the NBS Stable of John Ballantyne and Elements Racing of Stephen Smith. She paid $17.48 as fifth choice after finishing in 1:02.98 over a firm turf.
“She’s never really done anything wrong as a 2-year-old or 3-year-old,” said an elated Danner. “We’ll probably run next at Belmont Park” in the Soaring Softly, a seven-furlong turf race on May 27.
The $2 exacta (5-10) paid $149.48, the $1 trifecta (5-10-1) returned $1,184, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-10-1-9) was worth $543.63.
