Domenic Triumbari’s Blues Dancing went gate-to-wire to capture her first added-money score in Sunday’s $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes, at Woodbine.
The Survivalist-La Belle Bleu filly, with Luis Contreras in the irons, set the tempo cutting out a quarter in :22.53 and the half in :45.71 as Miss Scarlett Road tracked from second position.
Blues Dancing opened up a two-length lead at the top of the stretch and had plenty left in the tank to notch a three and three-quarter length score in a final time of 1:24.60 for seven furlongs. Miss Scarlett Road held steady for place, four and a half lengths in front of a closing Memories Last Love.
Contreras was content to let Blues Dancing take the lead.
“She broke really well from the gate and I let her be where she wanted to be,” said Contreras.
The victory marked a first stakes score for Vassilieva who has four winners from five starts on the campaign. The conditioner noted that an equipment change two races back played a pivotal part in the development of the dark bay.
“She had speed but it was out of control,” said Vassilieva. “When we took the blinkers off she actually learned how to settle quite nicely and relax. She’s getting better with every race. I’m really happy with her.”
Blues Dancing returned $15.10, $8.30 and $5.90, combining with Miss Scarlett Road ($11.10, $5.90) for a $126.60 exactor. Memories Last Love ($5.40) rounded out a triactor worth $1,558.50.
Nikki’s Bold Gelato was scratched.
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