Mekong Melody in Dance Smartly squeaker

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mekong Melody prevailed by a nose over another Roger Attfield trainee, favored Ave, in Sunday's $300,400 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine.

Mekong Melody ($13.90) was making her first start of the year in the nine-furlong turf route, with Patrick Husbands in tow. She tracked pacemaker First Circle most of the way, before hitting the front in midstretch, and went on to win in a time of 1:46.09 over the firm going.

Points of Grace, last year's winner of the Grade 2 Dance Smartly, wound up another length back in third in the six-horse field of fillies and mares.

Owner David Egan collected $180,000 for the win, which was Mekong Melody's fourth Woodbine score in five starts since shipping across the pond from England.

In Sunday's supporting feature, the $152,800 Shady Well Stakes, Roxy Gap ($3.20) got the job done in the 5 1/2-furlong dash for Ontario-bred 2-year-old fillies.

With Corey Fraser riding for trainer Mark Casse, Roxy Gap covered the distance in a quick 1:03.14, while beating 17-1 shot Tree Pose by 2 1/2 lengths.