Blue Dancer puts unblemished local record on the line in Ky Alta Stakes

Blue Dancer will try to keep his perfect record in western Canada intact when he runs in the $50,000 Ky Alta on Saturday at Northlands Park. With his good speed, he could be tough to get past if he breaks alertly from the rail in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds that drew nine horses.

Trained by Greg Tracy, Blue Dancer does have one loss, but it came in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita last November, and at least he was in the race for six furlongs before being swallowed up by most of the field. Following his 10th-place finish, Tracy gave him the winter off. Blue Dancer showed no ill effects of getting trounced by some of the best juveniles in North America when he returned in the Western Canada Handicap at Northlands on May 23.

With Skyler White Shield aboard, he broke on top in the six-furlong sprint and was never threatened while easily holding off the heavy favorite, Tappin Vegas, by 4 3/4 lengths.

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Blue Dancer shouldn’t have any trouble handling three turns. Prior to running in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the Kentucky-bred son of Bluegrass Cat won the $75,000 Ascot Graduation going 1 1/16 miles at Hastings.

Tappin Vegas came into the Western Canada Handicap off a strong effort in a $50,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on April 8. Trained by Robertino Diodoro, he stumbled at the start, and after forcing the pace, he held on well to finish a close third. He received an 86 Beyer Speed Figure, and anything close to a similar figure would have easily won the Western Canada.

He didn’t fire, however, and the 57 Beyer he received for finishing second was the lowest in his career.

However, he may have been feeling the effects of a virus that was circulating through Diodoro’s barn at Northlands at the time. He has worked well since and could make amends with leading rider Rico Walcott retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Blue Dancer (Last 3 Beyers: 69-65-63)

◗ He ran a huge race in his first start as a sophomore and once again is the one they will have to catch and beat.

Tappin Vegas (Last 3 Beyers: 57-86-81)

◗ He is versatile, and with other potential speed in the field, he could get a nice trip from a stalking position.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years in non-graded stakes at Northlands, Walcott has won with 47 percent of his mounts from Diodoro.