Danse Macabre gets class relief, Lasix in bid to end skid
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Saratoga-based millionaire Danse Macabre seems ideally spotted with Lasix being added in Saturday’s featured conditioned allowance/optional claimer at Woodbine, a six-furlong main turf sprint with a field of seven fillies and mares.
A 5-year-old trained by Miguel Clement, Danse Macabre captured two stakes early in 2023, including the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride going a mile at Gulfstream Park. She evolved into a turf-sprint specialist and won the Glen Cove Stakes in October 2023 at Aqueduct, which was her last trip to the winner’s circle.
Danse Macabre started just twice last year, the highlight being a close second in the Grade 3 Caress at Saratoga, for which she got a career-high 95 Beyer Speed Figure. Following an extended layoff, she rallied for third April 13 at Keeneland in the Grade 3 Giant’s Causeway. Danse Macabre is coming off a wide sixth in the Grade 2 Intercontinental on June 5 at the Spa.
Ryan Munger will ride Danse Macabre, who is eligible for Saturday’s engagement due to a clause in the conditions that allows for the inclusion of non-winners of a race since Jan. 19, 2024.
Leading trainer Mark Casse sends out Golden Canary and Without Cause in the headliner, the sixth of nine races.
Golden Canary was knocking on the door against second-level allowance/optional-claiming company during the spring at Aqueduct, finishing third going six furlongs twice with a pair of 84 Beyers.
Golden Canary has a history of acquitting herself well at Woodbine. At 2 in 2023, she beat the boys when earning her diploma in the Soaring Free Stakes and dead-heated for second in the Algonquin Stakes. Last August under Sahin Civaci, Golden Canary won an allowance by three lengths going seven furlongs with a career-best 86 Beyer.
The late-blooming 4-year-old Without Cause graduated on the lead in her seventh start when traveling a mile on Feb. 28 at Gulfstream following a layoff. A month later, she was softened up in a speed duel in a first-level allowance route and faded to fifth.
Without Cause cut back to six furlongs here June 7 and ran the race of her life under Rafael Hernandez. Over a speed-favoring main course, she prompted the pace before drawing clear in midstretch to score by 2 1/4 lengths with an 83 Beyer.
Patrick Husbands replaces the suspended Hernandez on Without Cause, while Civaci rides Golden Canary, who has breezed three times on the Tapeta since returning to Woodbine.
Uphill Dance has struggled since she was stakes-placed twice here last summer. She has wound up fourth in both of her outings this meet on different surfaces at this level.
Chromeplated Heart posted mixed results in her three most recent races, all on Tapeta. She has a decent turf record and could round out the superfecta.
Completing the lineup are May May Strong and Zana.
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