Slow pace helps Dancing Allstar steal Whimsical

Dancing Allstar ($8.90) got away with a soft opening quarter and never looked back en route to a comfortable score in the Grade 3, $150,000 Whimsical Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares at Woodbine.

Dancing Allstar held a slim lead during the first quarter, which was run in dawdling 23.22 seconds. She established a clear advantage on the turn through a half-mile in 45.60, and easily held off favored Smart Surprise in the stretch to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:09.16. Proud Heiress rallied wide from last to end up third in the seven-horse field. Verdana Bold was scratched.

Jim McAleney rode Dancing Allstar for owner Bob Cheema and trainer Terry Jordan.

"I was really happy with the filly," said McAleney. "She's been doing really well. She ran back to her old races."

Dancing Allstar, Canada's champion 2-year-old filly in 2007, banked $90,000.