Blue Dancer outclasses rivals in Western Canada

Taking a huge drop in class after setting the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Blue Dancer completely dominated his rivals in the $50,000 Western Canada Handicap at Northlands Park on Saturday.

He paid $9.70 as the second choice in the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds. Blue Dancer, a Kentucky-bred son of Bluegrass Cat, remained undefeated in western Canada with his only loss in six starts coming in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

With Skyler White Shield aboard, Blue Dancer broke on top and set quick interior fractions of 21.95 and 44.36 seconds. He was never under pressure at any part of the race, and under light urging in the stretch from White Shield, he easily held off heavily favored Tappin Vegas by 4 3/4 lengths.

Tappin Vegas and Purple Heaven raced as a team most of the way with Tappin Vegas edging Purple Heaven by a nose for second.

The final time was 1:10.31.

Blue Dancer is trained by Greg Tracy. The leading trainer also won the $50,000 Chariot Chaser for 3-year-old fillies with Eustacia on Friday night.

Eustacia, the champion 2-year-old filly in Alberta last year, paid a generous $20.30. Indian Brava, sent off as the 1-5 favorite, was fractious in the gate, broke awkwardly, and went six wide on the first turn before finishing last in the six-furlong sprint.

Eustacia was ridden by Scott Williams.

The final time was 1:10.07.