Discreet Dancer Returns a Winner

Discreet Dancer, whose most recent start resulted in a third-place finish in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) nearly a year ago to the day, returned with a victory Feb. 6 at Gulfstream Park (VIDEO).

The 4-year-old son of Discreet Cat earned a neck victory over 2011 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash winner Candyman E, who was returning from a year layoff of his own. Discreet Dancer delivered with a long drive on the outside after chasing the pace three wide to take home the $57,500 allowance optional claimer going six furlongs on the dirt in South Florida. Jockey Javier Castellano was aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher.

"I was proud of the race he ran to get 1:09 1/5 off the year layoff and run as well as he did. It was a big effort for him," Pletcher said. "He was giving up a lot of seasoning to horses that have a lot more experience."

Finishing last in the field of five was 7-year-old grade I winner Sean Avery, who took the 2011 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course. Like Candyman E, he raced for a claiming tag of $62,500 in his 2013 debut.

Discreet Dancer, bred in Florida by E. Paul Robsham Stable out of the Gone West mare West Side Dancer, improved his career record to three wins from four starts, with earnings of $133,150. He was sent off the 4-5 favorite over eventual Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags in the 2012 edition of the Fountain of Youth, run last Feb. 26, but faded to third after engaging in an early speed duel and had been unraced since then.

Pletcher said the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) on March 9 would be a likely next start for Discreet Dancer.