Longshot Let Her Dance wins Goldfinch Stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa – Trainer Chip Woolley, five years removed from his astounding win with Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, kicked the Prairie Meadows stakes schedule off in style when longshot Let Her Dance pulled away late in Saturday’s $75,000 Goldfinch Stakes.

Ridden by Shane Laviolette, who had picked up the mount when Terry Thompson felt ill after riding in the sixth race, Let Her Dance ($40.80), an improving Eddington filly, seized command upon leaving the turn in the six-furlong test for 3-year-old fillies. Responding to Laviolette's urging, Let Her Dance edged clear for a 3 1/2-length win over Midnight Eclipse and five others. Favored Dream Spinner finished third after being outpaced on the turn.

Collecting $45,000 for Mark Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch, Let Her Dance covered the distance in 1:10.66, while registering her first stakes win.