Blue Dancer preps for Canadian Derby in Count Lathum

Blue Dancer will try to remain undefeated in Canada when he runs Saturday in the $50,000 Count Lathum Handicap at Northlands Park. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds is the final local prep for the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby, which will be contested over a grueling 1 3/8 miles Aug. 15.

Blue Dancer clearly is the best sophomore at Northlands, and other than a loss in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he has been perfect.

Trainer Greg Tracy gave Blue Dancer plenty of time off to recover from chasing the top 2-year-olds in North America, and he came back with a sharp performance May 23 in the $50,000 Western Canada. With Skyler White Shield aboard, he set quick fractions and never was threatened while easily handling Tappin Vegas in the six-furlong sprint.

White Shield was injured in a training accident just prior to Blue Dancer’s next start in the one-mile Ky Alta. Once again, the Kentucky-bred son of Bluegrass Cat controlled the race right from the start with Damario Bynoe picking up the mount. He visibly tired in the stretch but never was threatened by Centrefire, who rallied to finish second.

“He was pretty sharp for the Ky Alta,” said Tracy. “He went fast early, plus the track was heavy, so I wasn’t surprised he got tired. He has trained well since then, and I expect him to run a big race Saturday.”

Leading rider Rico Walcott rides Blue Dancer.

Trainer Craig Smith is hoping for a good effort from Aztec Key, who rallied to win a 6 1/2-furlong, first-level allowance June 10.

“He’s begging for more ground,” said Smith. “We’re testing the waters here, but he’s peaking at the right time, and we’ll get a better idea if we have a Canadian Derby horse or not.”

Krista Carignan, the second-leading rider at Fort Erie, rides Aztec Key.

“There is a lot of stick handling going around here with regards to the Canadian Derby, and Krista said she would commit to riding him,” said Smith.

Key contenders

Blue Dancer (Last 3 Beyers: 70-69-65)

* Undefeated and really untested in his two starts at the meet, he could be sitting on a huge race in the third start of his form cycle.

Aztec Key (Last 3 Beyers: 55-49-52)

* He looked good in winning his latest sprint, and the only time he tried a middle distance, he was squeezed back early and finished full of run to place third in the one-mile Canadian Juvenile.