Danish Dynaformer back on home turf for Northern Dancer
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Following a commendable performance in the Grade 1 Arlington Million, Danish Dynaformer will be back on his home course on the Woodbine Mile undercard in Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf.
Danish Dynaformer saved ground at the back of the pack in the Aug. 13 Arlington Million before mounting a late charge to finish a close fifth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Jockey Patrick Husbands said a bobble at the break put Danish Dynaformer behind the eight-ball in the 10-furlong event.
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“When the gates flew, I lost my position,” said Husbands. “He was probably the only horse to close that day, and I just got beat a length. He was so mad after the race, I couldn’t get him stopped.”
Danish Dynaformer is 2 for 4 going the 1 1/2-mile distance of the Northern Dancer. Each of those victories took place here on the roomy turf course – in the 2015 Breeders’ Stakes and the Grade 3 Singspiel on July 3.
“Anything long he loves,” said Husbands, who will ride him again for Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield and owner Charles Fipke.
The Northern Dancer, race 10, drew a field of eight 3-year-olds and up.
KEY CONTENDERS
Danish Dynaformer, by Dynaformer
Last 3 Beyers: 98-94-93
◗ Husbands throttled him down during a five-furlong breeze in 1:02 on the Tapeta on Aug. 28, and the 4-year-old followed up that work with a pair of solid turf drills.
“He’s in good order,” said Husbands.
Big Blue Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 101-96-106
◗ The multiple Grade 1 winner has been idle since an unproductive spring campaign, during which he finished fifth in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill and sixth in the Grade 1 Manhattan at Belmont. Trainer Chad Brown has been working him at Saratoga.
The Pizza Man, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 98-96-96
◗ He was among the top turf horses on the continent in 2015, but the 7-year-old has failed to deliver in four starts this year. He finished just behind Danish Dynaformer in sixth in this year’s Arlington Million, which he won last year.
Majeed, by Mount Nelson
◗ The English invader is coming off a nose loss in a stakes at Windsor and goes on Lasix for this race.
◗ His trainer, David Simcock, won the 2014 Northern Dancer with Sheikhzayedroad.
World Approval, by Northern Afleet
Last 3 Beyers: 97-105-105
◗ He was beaten only 1 3/4 lengths when seventh in the Arlington Million after having captured the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth.
Wake Forest, by Sir Percy
Last 3 Beyers: 93-100-101
◗ The Grade 1 winner was in solid form prior to finishing 10th in the Arlington Million.