TDN RISING STARS

April 20, 2005 - Keeneland, Race 3, Msw, USD $50,000, 4 1/2f

Dance Daily, F, 2005, by Five Star Day

1st Dam: Dance Alexa, by Southern Halo
2nd Dam: Phantom Dancer, by Restless Native
3rd Dam: Phantom Of Delight, by Never Bend

Owner: Robert B & Beverly J Lewis
Breeder: J C Davis Farm Inc (KY)
Trainer: D Wayne Lukas

Dance Daily, a $90,000 KEESEP yearling, blossomed into a $600,000 BESMAR juvenile as the highest-priced filly at last month's auction. Despite several sharp drills since, she was let go as the 7-2 third choice, but proved much the best here. After an awkward start, the chestnut was shuffled back behind horses and was forced to take up on the turn. Jockey Rafael Bejarano guided her to the outside and Dance Daily responded, shifting into overdrive and opening up to win by two lengths. She becomes the second winner from as many starters for her freshman sire (by Carson City). "I was impressed," trainer D. Wayne Lukas told TVG. "At the top of the stretch it was tight with nowhere to go, then she skipped the across the heels of that other horse. In the middle of the race, I was thinking, 'Oh, well, we'll give her a race.' Bob and Beverly Lewis wrote a pretty good-sized check for a freshman sire, but I think we're okay."