Frac Dancer the one to catch in comeback
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The unbeaten speedball Frac Dancer makes his 4-year-old debut off an extended layoff in Sunday’s Woodbine headliner, a six-furlong conditioned allowance. He is clearly the one to catch in race 9, which has a $50,000 claiming option.
Frac Dancer beat maidens comfortably with a 70 Beyer Speed Figure when debuting here in October of 2023. Later that fall, he doubled up in the restricted Clarendon Stakes going six furlongs while earning an 82 Beyer.
Frac Dancer’s most recent race, the Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March of 2024, was moved from turf to the Tapeta. He set sizzling fractions in the five-furlong dash before holding on for a half-length score in a time of 55.63 seconds, which translated into an 85 Beyer.
Trainer Mike DePaulo said Frac Dancer had to go for surgery after the Texas Glitter, which forced him to the sidelines until this spring. The son of Frac Daddy has worked quickly since early April, covering a half-mile in 47.20 seconds last Sunday, the third-fastest of a whopping 131 works at the distance. The leading apprentice Pietro Moran has the mount.
“His works have been good,” DePaulo said. “He’s always been a decent work horse. We’re riding the bug, taking advantage of some weight [off]. He won a foaled-in-Canada race, so that makes him eligible for this race.”
DePaulo still holds Frac Dancer in high regard and doesn’t think the colt will need one off the layoff.
“He’s always trained like a good horse,” DePaulo said. “Physically, when you look at him, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out he’s good. He’s a strong, powerful-looking horse.”
Sigiloso is moving up off a slow-starting third and a claim by trainer Marty Drexler, who doubled up on Thursday. The well-traveled but somewhat win-shy veteran has maintained fine Tapeta sprint form throughout his career.
Perfect Crime, who is launching his campaign, was a charging third off a similar layoff in his 2024 opener. He hasn’t found the mark since capturing the 7 1/2-furlong Overskate Stakes on the grass for Ontario-sired stock in the fall of 2023.
Rat Portage broke a bit slowly in his season debut against easier before rallying outside for second behind the favored Speed Figures. He did his best running last year in the spring and early summer before tailing off.
Roi Soleil beat nonwinners-of-three opposition two starts ago in December when claimed for $40,000 and then came up empty in his seasonal bow.
Trainer Mark Casse sends out Rapid Grey and Lucky Score. Rapid Grey graduated last August before doubling up in an allowance and has been idle since finishing eighth behind two next-out winners at this level Nov. 15.
Lucky Score has been campaigned sporadically since the fall of 2023. After a sluggish start in his April 27 comeback, he took the long way home while closing for third behind two rivals who both came back to run well.
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