The filly which gave trainer Kelsey Danner her first graded stakes victory last out in the one-mile Herecomesthebride (G3) has now proven she's just as adept at shorter distances on the turf. During Wednesday's card at Churchill Downs, Danse Macabre ($17.48) and jockey Adam “Biscuit” Beschizza snuck up the inside rail to win the 5 1/2-furlong, $225,000 Mamzelle Overnight Stakes at odds of 7-1. The 3-year-old daughter of Army Mule was in front by 2 1/4 lengths at the wire, stopping the clock in 1:02.98 over the firm turf.
“Was I given any instructions before the race? Yeah, don't get beat,” said Beschizza. “She came away from there well and when I asked her she gave it to me. We made the lead and I was surprised how far in front we went. I was looking around for something that was going to be breathing down my neck, but it never happened. This is a great confidence builder for her. She ran really well.”
It was Danse Macabre's fourth win from seven starts, improving her career earnings to $666,740 for owners NBS Stable (John Ballantyne) and Elements Racing, LLC (Stephen Smith).
Sassy Nature and Shootoutthelights dueled for the early lead while Danse Macabre established position along the inside. American Apple was up close while three-wide, and began to move up the outside around the turn while Beschizza waited behind a narrow gap at the fence on Danse Macabre.
When Sassy Nature went a bit wide heading into the stretch, Danse Macabre pounced and got the jump on the rest of the field. She pulled away to clear the field in the lane, leading under the wire to win by 2 1/4 lengths. American Apple made a big run to be second at 10-1, while Anna's Arabesque checked in third at 21-1.
The remaining order of finish was: My Sweet Affair, B G Warrior, Peacock Lass, Shootoutthelights (2-1 favorite), Sassy Nature, and Lady Hollywood.
Bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables, Danse Macabre is out of the Blame mare Slyphide, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Cambodia. An $11,000 short yearling at the Keeneland January sale, Danse Macabre hammered for $55,000 at the OBS March sale. The filly has never finished worse than third, and has now won both of her starts in 2023.
“She really has never done anything wrong, as a 2-year-old or 3-year-old,” Danner said.
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