WEST INTO DANCER Challenge Stakes
For the third week in a row, the Vermont feature was won by the betting favorite. As expected, early speed in the race played right into the hands of the late closers and the 4-year-old CASE BY CASE finished strongly to win the $60,000 WEST INTO DANCER Challenge Stakes over the fast dirt surface at Vermont. Her winning time for the mile and one eighth was 1:49, earning her a speed rating of 100 and paying $8.60, $4.50 and $3.40 for owner allyfarms. The winning entry was nicely ridden by jockey N Stelle, the third feature-winning rider in the last three weeks.
The early pace was set as expected by PPLO and NESSY ALYFAY, with these two racing neck and neck from the start until the stretch run. PPLO initially faltered at the start of the stretch, but then recovered to battle back and finish third. After challenging the winner for most of the stretch run, NESSY ALYFAY faded to fourth. CASE BY CASE rode along nicely in 7th for much of the race, never losing touch with the leaders. At the top of stretch, she began to make her anticipated late run, battling initially with NESSY ALYFAY before pulling away to win by 2 ¼. True to form, SOULTRAPPER immediately fell to the rear at the start and trailed by 12 lengths down the backstretch. Her characteristic late run wasn’t enough to get up for the win, just edging out PPLO for second.
PRETTY PALACE and BARB’S SNOOTY LORI both gained ground down the stretch to finish 5th and 6th. After running mid pack until the far turn, INTERPHONIC, SADFLY’S DESERT and OUR REASONS AGAIN were not able to mount any challenge. CLASSIC JACKLAD was never a factor. After running third early, CATHERINE HAYES suddenly pulled up and finished well back.
This was the second straight stakes win for CASE BE CASE and her fifth win in her last six outings. The only stakes winner for her sire, IN CASE, she has now earned over $336,000 for her career.
Next week’s feature at Vermont will feature 4-year-olds and up going a mile and five sixteenths on the turf in the $65,000 SHIN BROOK Challenge.