Race Recaps Mutamakina Makes The Grade In Dance Smartly August 22, 2021 Credit: Michael Burns Photo Race Recaps Mutamakina Makes The Grade In Dance Smartly August 22, 2021 By: Press Release email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article TORONTO, ON – Mutamakina, benefitting from a strong tactical ride by Dylan Davis, took charge straightening for home and held sway for a 1/2-length victory in Sunday’s $180,950 Dance Smartly Stakes (G3) over 1 1/4 miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course. Woodbine Full Card Plays Available Now There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why Invading from Saratoga for trainer Christophe Clement, Mutamakina held off fellow Spa shipper Etoile, who had won last fall’s E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) over the same course and distance.Alnaseem, sent to the front early after beginning from post six in the field of seven fillies and mares, led through fractions of :25.98, :50.32 and 1:14.07, with Mutamakina just one length back.“I saw the four-horse had some good speed,” said Davis, who was riding his first stakes winner at Woodbine. ”I broke well [and] was able to get a good stalking position right there.“She did switch her leads down the backside a few times. She just needed a little bit of guidance. I had to get into her early. I was a little worried about that. Once she straightened up, she saw where she needed to go and she ran very strongly to the wire.”Mutamakina reached the mile in 1:37.13 and led by two lengths with a furlong to run before finishing in 2:01.26 over a course rated firm.Etoile, the 6-5 favourite for trainer Chad Brown and leading North American race-winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr., saved ground in fifth place early and launched a bid around the final turn but could not reach the winner.Merveilleux, based locally with conditioner Kevin Attard, finished well to be third, just a neck behind Etoile.Court Return, beaten just a neck as the runner-up in last year’s E.P. Taylor, Stakes, trailed the field early and finished well to be fourth, another half-length back.Rounding out the order of finish were Blame Debbie, the 4-1 third choice, Alnaseem and Afleet Katherine. Mutamakina returned $8.80, with the $2 exacta with Etoile coming back at $16.50. Merveilleux, the 7-1 fourth choice, rounded out a $110.90 trifecta ($1) and Court Return, the longest shot on the board at 22-1, completed a $1 superfecta worth $273.30.A 5-year-old bred in England by Wigham Stud, Mutamakina is by Nathaniel out of the Danehill mare Joshua’s Princess.Beginning her career in France, Mutamakina won twice and placed twice in Group 2 company before joining Clement in the fall of 2020. The Dance Smartly was her second Grade 3 win on this side of the pond, following the Long Island at Aqueduct last fall in her only previous partnership with Davis.“I’m just happy to be back aboard her,” said Davis. “It’s just nice. She’s progressing well. She’s definitely a hard trier – you just got to know how to ride her. She always gives a good effort and Clemente had her ready today.”The Dance Smartly was the first leg of this year’s Ladies of the Lawn, in support of ReThink Breast Cancer. The series continues with the Canadian Stakes on September 18 and concludes with the E.P. Taylor Stakes October 17. Each race will be contested over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.The owner of the horse who has accumulated the most points in the series will receive a $50,000 bonus, with the owners of the second and third-place horses receiving $15,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Prep Picks: Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby | Blinkers Off 712 The Racing Dudes preview the two major 2025 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Sweet 16 PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 232 Aaron and Papa Dude give their picks for the Arkansas… Read More
Louisiana Derby 2025 Preview and Saturday Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 711 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Fair Grounds Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 584 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Fair Grounds Race Course… Read More
March Madness BRACKET Reaction & PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 231 Aaron and Papa Dude react to the NCAA men’s basketball… Read More
Get Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial & Santa Anita Derby Picks in Betting Bible Get the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes Betting Bible, featuring the EXACT race-by-race wagering… Read More
Wood Memorial Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct & gives… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Latest News & Top 5 | Major Contenders Rising to the Top Aaron recaps all the action from last weekend, including the… Read More
Florida Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park &… Read More
Arkansas Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park &… Read More