R L Stables’ RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom) was more than 20 lengths behind
loose-on-the-lead Bright Prediction (Dance Brightly) after the opening
half-mile, but the burly eight-year-old caught up with time to spare to record a
2 1/4-length win in Sunday’s $150,400
Sunset
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) on closing day at Hollywood Park. Trained by Dan Hendricks, the gray was in no hurry early as the
pacesetter led the group through ambitious splits of :24 4/5, :48 1/5, 1:12 3/5
and 1:38 for the opening mile. Approaching the final turn the early leader was
collared by the rest of the group, and Alex Solis went to work on Runaway
Dancer, who responded in a big way, weaving his way through traffic to get away
from this field in the latter stages. The final time for the 1 1/2-mile contest
over the firm turf was 2:27 3/5, and the 3-1 third choice paid $8.40, $4.60 and
$3.40.
Fitz Flag (Arg) (Flag Down) didn’t get into stride until too late, but the
4-1 shot rallied well while four-wide to gain the place. The runner-up was good
for $5.40 and $2.80 while completing the $20.30 exacta ($1). Spring House
(Chester House) was another three-quarters of a length back in third, worth
$3.40 as the 5-2 second choice. The 6-4-2 trifecta ($1) gave back $72.20. Rush Rush
(More Than Ready) was next and followed by 2-1 favorite Stormin Away (Skip Away)
and Bright Prediction.
Runaway Dancer improved his career mark to 39-8-4-5, with earnings of
$788,284. This marked the third graded stakes win for the gelding, who owns
tallies in the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G3) and Carleton F. Burke H. (G3). In
addition, the Kentucky-bred has placed in five graded events, including
last year’s Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1).
Bred by Reyla Graber, the winner was produced from the stakes-winning Dahar mare Salsa Dancer. Runaway Dancer was a $17,000 RNA at the 2000 Barretts
October sale.