Van Dyke gets first stakes win with Ann of the Dance

DEL MAR, Calif. – It has been a tumultuous meeting for jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who was injured in an accident on the turf, and forged on after the passing of his father. But on Friday at Del Mar, he enjoyed one of the best moments of his young career when scoring his first stakes victory, an upset on Ann of the Dance in the $95,600 CTT and Thoroughbred Owners of California Handicap.

Ann of the Dance ($59.20) was the longest shot in the field of nine older female turf runners, but she was able to rally from last and get up in the last jump to beat 11-1 shot Scarlet Strike because Van Dyke was able to knife toward the inside at midstretch and make a rush. Ann of the Dance won by a nose, with Customer Base, the 8-5 favorite, another half-length back in third.

“It feels really good,” Van Dyke said of his first stakes win.

He raised his whip after crossing the wire, but some doubt crept in a few strides past the finish.

“I wasn’t sure I got there,” he admitted.

Ann of the Dance completed 1 3/8 miles on firm turf in 2:14.73.

Van Dyke has maintained a calm demeanor through his many trials this summer.

“A lot of people have something to ride for – a parent, religion,” he said. “Now I have something to ride for - my dad.”

Ann of the Dance provided the second stakes win in less than a week for the husband-and-wife team of Phil and Vicki Oliver. She won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last week with Personal Diary. He trains Ann of the Dance, who is owned by the St. George Farm of Ian Banwell.

Ann of the Dance, a mare by English Channel, has now won four times in 26 starts. This was only her second start of the year following a seven-month layoff. She was eighth of 12 in the Osunitas Handicap here on July 19.