Dancing Kiki controls Saratoga Dew Stakes from start to finish
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Allowed to waltz on the lead, Dancing Kiki dominated Thursday’s $100,000 Saratoga Dew Stakes by 4 1/2 lengths at Saratoga.
Not bad for a filly who wasn’t even meant to run in the race.
After winning a three-way shake to claim Dancing Kiki for $35,000 on July 22, owner Michael Dubb was looking to run her back in a second-level allowance race for New York-bred females. That race didn’t fill, and with a short field in the Saratoga Dew, Dubb told trainer Mike Maker to enter her in the 1 1/8-mile race despite the fact the filly had never run beyond a mile on dirt.
“I’ve had luck with Mike stretching horses out,” Dubb said. “He’s known - whether it’s turf or dirt - for stretching horses out, and this seemed like a horse that could stretch out.”
Under Jose Ortiz, Dancing Kiki was able to make a one-length lead over Simply Ravishing in an opening quarter in 23.73 seconds. Ortiz was able to set modest fractions of 48.48 and 1:12.56 for six furlongs. At that point, Simply Ravishing, chasing the pace under Luis Saez, retreated. Maiden Beauty picked up the chase, but never seriously threatened and Dancing Kiki came home an easy winner.
Dancing Kiki, a daughter of Blame, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.71 and returned $16 as the second-longest shot on the board.
For Maker, it was his second win on the card and 19th of the meet to lead all trainers.
Maker credited Dubb with the claim and the idea of running in the Saratoga Dew.
Maker said he was confident Dancing Kiki would stretch out, and “Jose seemed to make an easy lead so that added to the confidence.”
Maiden Beauty, the longest price on the board at 8-1, finished second by a half-length over Mrs. Orb, the 7-5 favorite. Espresso Shot was fourth while Simply Ravishing was basically eased.
Simply Ravishing, who won the Grade 1 Alcibiades last year, was making her first start since she finished last in the Ashland at Keeneland in April. She had a throat issue thereafter and was retired, but was put back into training after failing to get in foal to Into Mischief in the spring.