Mrs. Revere good spot for Snow Dance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Until facing the very best that North America had to offer, Snow Dance had done everything trainer John T. Ward Jr. asked of her - at least on grass.

Snow Dance was rather ordinary in her first four starts on dirt, after which Ward began racing her on turf. The result was a major transformation: Snow Dance reeled off four straight victories before leading most of the way and fading to third behind Affluent and Golden Apples in a sensational field in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, a Grade 1 race five weeks ago at Keeneland.

On Saturday, Snow Dance will try to end her season on a winning note when facing nine other 3-year-old turf fillies in the $150,000, Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs.

"She really has been wonderful to us this year," said Ward, who trains Snow Dance, a gray Forest Wildcat filly, for John Oxley. "She's still doing excellent, and I expect her to run another big race Saturday."

As the winner of the Grade 2 Lake Placid and Grade 3 Pucker Up before the QEII, Snow Dance clearly deserves favoritism under Craig Perret in the 1 1/16-mile Mrs. Revere. Other contenders in a solid field include Quick Tip, to be ridden by Pat Day, and Ever With You, who earlier in the Churchill meet set the course record of 1:40.82 at this same distance.

"That record did surprise me," said Diane Perkins, owner and trainer of Ever With You. "She's always been kind of nervous, but she's been showing her true ability in her latest races."

Fringe contenders in what historically is a hotly contested race include Casual Feat, winner of the Regret here in the spring; Cozzy Corner and Chausson Poire, who dead-heated for a win in the Valley View at Keeneland; and Stylish, a dangerous import for trainer Bill Mott.

The rest of the field is Ransom's Pride, Cozy Island, and Atrial Flutter. Weight assignments, based on allowance conditions, range from 122 to 111 pounds.

The Mrs. Revere is named for the Mott-trained filly who in spring 1984 became the only horse to win three stakes at Churchill in the same meet. Mrs. Revere, owned by Hiram Polk and Dr. David Richardson, won the Dogwood, Edgewood, and Regret.

Three allowance races also are carded Saturday. The 10th and last race, a $44,200 entry-level turf allowance, is the middle leg of the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network Turf Pick 3.

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