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Danse Macabre Shows ‘A Lot Of Heart’ To Win Thursday’s Glen Cove

NBS Stable and Elements Racing's Danse Macabre made a bold inside move in the late stages of Thursday's $125,000 Glen Cove to earn her fourth career stakes victory in the six-furlong outer turf sprint for sophomore fillies at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Kelsey Danner, the daughter of Army Mule showed her versatility with her off-the-pace triumph, which was her first when racing farther back than third in the early stages. Last year, she came from 3 1/2 lengths off the pace to capture Kentucky Downs' Untapable by a nose, but needed to make up seven lengths in the Glen Cove to get up in time under regular pilot Adam Beschizza and return to the winner's circle for the first time since May.

“I was a little worried,” Danner said about being far off the pace. “She doesn't like soft ground and Adam said there's a lot of cut down there. She's just a nice filly. She knows what she's doing and she does it. She has a lot of heart.”

Danse Macabre broke evenly from post 2 in the 10-horse field as Zoinnocent broke slow to her inside and Determined Jester rushed up to assume command to her outside in company with Future Is Now and mark an opening quarter-mile in 22.20 seconds over the good footing.

The pair opened up four lengths on the field down the backstretch with Dontlookbackatall biding her time in third and Danse Macabre racing in sixth along the inside. Approaching the turn, Beschizza angled his mount a few paths out and coaxed her along as Dontlookbackatall inched closer to the pacesetters and Love Appeals tracked to her outside in fourth after the half-mile in 44.92.

Danse Macabre found herself three-wide in pursuit of the top flight entering the stretch with Determined Jester and Future Is Now beginning to yield to their oncoming opponents. Dontlookbackatall took charge past the eighth pole with Love Appeals putting in a serious bid in the center of the course, prompting Beschizza to ask his mount to duck down inside of the former for the final hundred yards to the wire. Danse Macabre responded with an impressive burst of speed to pass Dontlookbackatall in deep stretch and notch the 1 1/2-length score in a final time of 1:09.34.

Dontlookbackatall secured place honors by a neck over her oncoming Christophe Clement-trained stablemate Love Appeals with Personal Pursuit rallying from ninth late to round out the superfecta another 2 3/4 lengths back.

Lady Beth, Ticker Tape Home, Future Is Now, Beauty of the Sea, Determined Jester and Zoinnocent completed the order of finish. Also-eligibles Plentitude, Violet Gibson, Queen of the Mud, Gatita Suave and main track-only entrant Tappin Josie were scratched.

Beschizza, who earned his 600th career win in the Glen Cove, said the softer footing kept Danse Macabre from utilizing her usual prominent trip.

“She's a fast ground filly. When it's fast, I can usually sit there on the bridle close to the speed,” Beschizza said. “I'd say it was the soft side of good today and I was just wheel spinning and scrambling early. We were going a good honest tempo, so I was hoping it would break. The class shined through and she got up.”

Beschizza, who began riding in 2015, reflected on what Danse Macabre has meant to both him and Danner.

“She's done wonders for my career and Kelsey. The owner puts his hard-earned money into the game and he's getting his just rewards with fillies like her. For a cheap purchase she's definitely a diamond in the rough and an owner's dream,” Beschizza said of the $55,000 OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase. “I can't complain, I've been on the back of her through losses as well and Kelsey still throws me back on.”

Danner added she has not yet made any plans for Danse Macabre's next outing.

“There's a few options this winter. I might just give her a bit of a break as there's kind of a lull of options right now,” said Danner.

Bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables, Danse Macabre boasts a graded victory after taking the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride in March at Gulfstream Park, as well as additional stakes scores in the Mamzelle in May at Churchill Downs and aforementioned Untapable. The talented chestnut banked $68,750 in victory and is nearing millionaire status with $927,090 in total purse earnings through a perfect in-the-money record of 9-5-3-1. She returned $4.80 for a $2 win ticket.

Jose Ortiz, aboard runner-up Dontlookbackatall, said his mount was valiant in defeat.

“Very clean trip, picture perfect,” said Ortiz. “We knew the winner would be tough going in, she's a very nice horse. I'm very happy with our filly. She's nice and she's proved that she's getting better each time.”

Live racing resumes Friday at Belmont at the Big A with a nine-race card that features the Grade 3, $150,000 Knickerbocker in Race 6. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of every day of Belmont at the Big A on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont at the Big A, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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Pletcher Breezes Breeders’ Cup Dozen at Keeneland

Trainer Todd Pletcher breezed a remarkable 12 of his intended Breeders' Cup starters at Keeneland on Thursday morning over the main track.

Heading the dozen was GI Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Bright Future (Curlin), who arrived in Kentucky this week from Saratoga. He worked five furlongs in 1:01.40. Also working five furlongs for a possible Breeders' Cup start was Charge It (Tapit), who covered the distance in 1:01.20.

“We originally were going to work all of our Saturday (Nov. 4) horses tomorrow but with rain in the forecast for tomorrow, we moved it up a day,” Pletcher said. “It was a good morning, and I was pleased with all the works. They did what we wanted them to.”

Among the dozen workers were three Grade I winners from Keeneland's Fall Stars Weekend.

Coolmore Turf Mile winner Up to the Mark (Not This Time) breezed a half-mile in :50.20 in company with 2022 Coolmore Turf Mile winner Annapolis (War Front); Darley Alcibiades winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) worked a half-mile in :49; and Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner and `TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) worked a half-mile in :48.20.

The remainder of the Pletcher brigade each worked half-miles: `TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road) (:49.60), `TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) (:48.40), Life Talk (Gun Runner) (:49), Life's an Audible (Audible) (:50), Noted (Cairo Prince) (:49.60) and Scalable (Speightstown) (:49.60).

Pletcher said he planned to give his runners one more work at Keeneland next Thursday or Friday before shipping to Santa Anita on Oct. 28.

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NSAIDs And Colic: What’s The Real Risk?

Horses that receive an extended course or high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) seem to be at greater risk of developing right dorsal colitis, an Australian study shows.

NSAIDs are one of the most prescribed pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medications in veterinary medicine. Of these, phenylbutazone is the predominant NSAID associated with right dorsal colitis, though it's unclear whether this is related to increased usage compared with other NSAIDs, a lower safety profile, or unknown pharmacodynamics.

Dr. Jordan Flood, with the University of Queensland, and team members looked retrospectively at 35 cases of right dorsal colitis that presented at seven Australian clinics. The team found NSAID overdose in 21 of the 25 cases where the NSAID dose was known (84 percent of the cases). Of the horses that had NSAID overdoses, 76 percent had received at least 2.2 mg/kg phenylbutazone for a minimum of eight consecutive days.

The right dorsal colon wall was thickened in 77 percent of cases and 43 percent of the horses died. Three of the 35 horses had been treated with “stacked” NSAIDs, meaning that more than one NSAID had been given at a time. Stacking NSAIDs predisposes the horse to right dorsal colitis.

Each of the horses presented to the clinic with an elevated heart rate, diarrhea and colic, all hallmark signs of right dorsal colitis. Flood recommended that horses given NSAIDs be monitored for these symptoms and be taken off the drugs if any appear. Horses with the condition typically have low levels of albumin and calcium in the blood, and elevated levels of lactate. Monitoring of serum albumin concentration is also recommended.

While horses receiving elevated doses of NSAIDs over a long period of time are most likely to develop right dorsal colitis, horses receiving recommended doses of NSAIDs also experienced this issue. The scientists found that horses that had an increased heart rate, packed cell volume, and abnormal appearance of mucous membranes were less likely to survive, even if they received the correct dose and length of NSAID treatment.

The research team concluded that phenylbutazone may not be safe for prolonged use and that other drugs should be considered if longer-term anti-inflammatories or pain relief is needed. The team also suggested that owner education regarding appropriate NSAID use be improved.

Identifying the symptoms of right dorsal colitis could assist veterinarians in identifying the condition, which could lead to more positive outcomes from the disease.

Forte Retired from Racing, Will Stand at Spendthrift

Forte (Violence–Queen Caroline, by Blame), the 2022 champion 2-year-old colt and GI Breeders Cup Juvenile winner, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2024 season at Spendthrift Farm, according to co-owner Mike Repole.

“According to Todd Pletcher,” said Repole Thursday afternoon, “he grabbed his quarter in the Travers and that turned into a quarter crack in his left front foot. We sent him to [farrier] Ian McKinlay to patch it up and he was galloping. Today, Todd sent him out for a gallop at Keeneland. He said he would need more time to make the Breeders' Cup so we simply ran out of time.

“He had five races as a 2-year-old and broke his maiden in May. We won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November. We had five races this year. So we got two years, 10 starts, seven wins, $3 million in earnings and a championship. That's pretty cool.”

Repole said consideration was given to racing Forte next year, but it was ultimately decided to send him to Spendthrift.

“The deal with Spendthrift included an option that we could have raced him next year. Everybody wants to talk about how incredible it was to have a horse like this. But there's a lot of stress and anxiety that comes along with owning a horse like this. We have a love for these horses and a love for the sport. Between races, [co-owner] Vinnie [Viola of St. Elias] and I are thinking, 'how did he gallop today, how did he work today, how did he eat today?' He's done as much as he can. We have some other really good horses who will be coming back next year. Bright Future, Dreamlike, some other good older horses. This horse did a lot.

“As far as a horse who put two really good years together back to back, he could be the best one I've ever owned. Just look at the races he won. He won Grade Is both years and had two great seasons. It's hard to retire these horses, but sometimes you have to look at the big picture and make some really tough, emotional decisions.”

Bred by South Gate Farm in Kentucky, Forte was acquired by Repole Stables and St. Elias for $110,0000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale before being sent to Hall of Famer Pletcher. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut, he closed out his 2-year-old season with three straight Grade I victories, including the Hopeful S. and Claiborne Breeders' Futurity.

Forte's 3-year-old season was fraught with ups and downs. He captured the GII Fountain of Youth S. and GI Florida Derby, the latter over subsequent GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), but was scratched as the favorite the morning of the Kentucky Derby due to a bruised hoof. Two days later, it was announced he would be ineligible to run in the GI Preakness S. as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) had placed him on a mandatory 14-day vet's list. Just a few days after that, it was learned he would be disqualified from his Hopeful victory of the year before due to a medication violation.

The colt did make the GI Belmont S., finishing second to Arcangelo (Arrogate), and came back to win the July 29 GII Jim Dandy S. in a nose thriller after an inquiry. After last seen finishing fourth in the GI Travers S. Aug. 26, he was treated for the quarter cracks mentioned by Repole. Despite not breezing, his team indicated as recently as Oct. 1 he was still being pointed to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.

When asked if Forte was unlucky this year, Repole said, “If winning the Fountain of Youth, the Florida Derby and the Jim Dandy with a horse is bad luck I wish I had more bad luck like that. He was also second in the Belmont. He won races that I dreamed about winning when I was kid. This horse did nothing but give Vinnie Viola and I two full great seasons of racing. Take away Arcangelo, give me a 3-year-old that had better year than he did.

“Was he the Derby favorite and was he scratched? Of course he was. Did the horse he beat two times win the Derby? Yes. But you can't look back. Were there highs and lows? Yes. This game is all about highs and lows. But 99% of the people just get the lows and not the highs. Vinnie and I were congratulating each other today and we reminisced. This horse gave us a lot of thrills.”

Forte retires with a record of 10-7-1-0 and earnings of $3,029,830.

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