Ice Dancing gets perfect trip in Santa Ynez

ARCADIA, Calif. - Against a weakened lineup, Ice Dancing benefited from a perfect trip to record a comfortable win in Sunday’s Grade 3 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

The race changed considerably on Saturday when trainer John Shirreffs withdrew morning-line favorite Justique after she was diagnosed with an elevated temperature earlier in the week. Justique won the Desi Arnaz Stakes at seven furlongs for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar in November.

Ice Dancing inherited the role of favorite in the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes and ran to expectations. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Ice Dancing ($3) closed from last of five to win by 3 1/4 lengths over 12-1 Satin Doll.

“She jumped well,” Prat said of Ice Dancing’s start. “She has good speed to get you in a good position.

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“It felt like the pace was strong. She responded really well.”

Ice Dancing tracked the early pace of Parody and Fast and Shiny, who dueled through fractions of 22.02 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.68 for a half-mile. Ice Dancing rallied wide to challenge stretch leader Fast and Shiny before taking the lead in the final furlong.

Ice Dancing ran seven furlongs in 1:22.78 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 79.

Satin Doll, briefly last on the backstretch, closed on the rail to finish second, a head in front of Fast and Shiny. Parody and Huntingcoco were fourth and fifth.

Fast and Shiny, Parody and Huntingcoco are trained by Bob Baffert.

Ice Dancing, by Frosted, races for Ramona and Perry Bass and trainer Richard Mandella.

Ice Dancing has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $219,600. She finished third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes at seven furlongs on Sept. 10, and fourth in the Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 8 before winning a maiden race at a mile at Del Mar on Nov. 25 in her final start of 2022.

“She’s definitely improving,” Prat said.

Prat rode Ice Dancing in the Debutante and to her maiden win.

Ice Dancing’s win in the Santa Ynez ended a span of 10 consecutive losing favorites for Prat since Friday.

“I kept running second all the time,” Prat said. “It’s the way it happens.”

- additional reporting by Brad Free

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