Daring Dancer takes Appalachian Stakes for Motion
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Graham Motion said before the Keeneland spring meet began that his barn might have a few winners in it. Motion’s notions came to full fruition Thursday when Daring Dancer capped a three-win day for the English-born trainer by winning the Grade 3 Appalachian Stakes under a heady ride from Alan Garcia.
Daring Dancer, bred and owned by the Sagamore Farm of Under Armour tycoon Kevin Plank, stayed unbeaten in three career starts when blasting up the rail for a 2 1/2-length triumph in the 26th running of the $100,000 Appalachian.
“Special filly, she is,” Motion said from his Fairhill, Md., barn, where he watched the race while his assistant, Dave Rock, performed ontrack duties in his stead.
Daring Dancer returned $12.60 after finishing the one-mile distance in 1:36.04 over firm turf. Sweet Acclaim, an Irish-bred making her U.S. debut, rallied from last in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies to finish second, 1 3/4 lengths before Recepta, the 2-1 favorite. Kitten Kaboodle was fourth.
Before an ontrack crowd of 11,442, and amid brilliant spring weather, Lacarolina set the pace to the far turn, with Kitten Kaboodle always close enough to make a bid. Leaving the quarter pole, however, the top finishers made far stronger moves, with Daring Dancer shooting through a rail opening to suddenly put the issue at rest, while Sweet Acclaim and Recepta also closed well.
The $2 exacta (5-4) paid $105.20, the $1 trifecta (5-4-1) returned $234.30, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-4-1-7) was worth $86.38.
Daring Dancer, a Maryland-bred by Empire Maker, was making her stakes debut and her first start this year after winning a maiden race at Laurel and an allowance at Churchill Downs. All of her starts have been on grass.
For Motion, best known for his work with 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, the Appalachian concluded what he termed “a special afternoon” and gave him a three-way tie atop the Keeneland trainer standings with Mark Casse and Wesley Ward (six wins each). Earlier on the nine-race card, Motion won with Otokogi ($18) in a maiden race and Draw Two ($4.80) in a turf allowance.