Calder: Dancing Guy flashes old form

MIAMI, Fla. - Dancing Guy, whose form has tailed off over the past year, looked like his old self on Monday when rallying from last at the quarter pole to overtake fellow longshot Shotgun Fire for a neck victory in Calder's $100,000 Memorial Day Handicap. It was the 8-year-old's first win since he captured the Americana Handicap here on July 4.

Dancing Guy, who also won the 2000 renewal of the Grade 3 Memorial Day Handicap, rallied from off a contentious pace to overtake the 18-1 Shotgun Fire in the final forty yards of the one mile and one sixteenth event. It was another 2 1-4 lengths back to even money favorite High Ideal who set a pressured pace before weakening in the final furlong.

Dancing Guy, a son of Robyn Dancer competing in his fifth straight Memorial Day Handicap, posted his 19th career victory and pushed his career earnings to just under $850,000. He is owned by his 80-year-old owner-trainer Newcomb Green.

Dancing Guy paid $22.00 and covered the distance in 1:45.56 under jockey Roger Velez.

"Things went well for him today with the fast pace in front of him," said Green. "He was really rolling at the end."

Velez was excited just to have ridden Dancing Guy.

"I've been after Newcomb to let me ride this horse for five years," said Velez. "I've always been a fan of his. I didn't need any instructions. It's like I've been watching him run all my life."