I like the inclusion here of Dance Smartly, being that she raced mostly in Canada probably hurt her exposure in the U.S somewhat. She won on dirt, turf, faced males from 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 and really never was tested that entire year.
I think Pat Day who would know how good she was, when interviewed after the BC Distaff was asked where he ranked Dance Smartly with all the great fillies he has rode, he answered matter of factly 'right beside Lady's Secret' indicated her true ability.
Of note her stablemate Wilderness Song did go on to win The Gr. 1 Spinster at Keeneland that same year, which is another good barmometer of how good DS was, due to the fact she could never get within a shouting distance of Dance Smartly on the track.
|