Game Dansetta Light Wins Tropical Park Oaks

(from Calder report)
J D Farm's homebred filly Dansetta Light turned in a gritty performance to win a blanket finish in Saturday's $100,000 Tropical Park Oaks by a neck over Dynamite Lass.

Jockey John Velazquez rode the 3-year-old filly for trainer David Brownlee. It was just another neck back to Silver Stage in third, a nose in front of Rich in Spirit.

Rated slightly off the pace in the 1 1/16-miles turf race by Velazquez, Dansetta Light responded when asked for her run on the turn for home.

In an exciting Pacesetter Silver Stage dueled with Dansetta Light from the eighth pole as Dynamite Lass came flying on the outside, while Silver Stage battled from the inside. But Dansetta Light, racing in between her rivals, refused to give way, getting the distance in 1:42 flat over a turf course listed "good."

Velazquez said the key was getting Dansetta Light into position early.

"She started hanging coming down the lane with that horse inside of me but when the horse on the outside came, she got to it," Velazquez said.

Dansetta Light, winner of the Georgia Debutante in her last race over the previously undefeated Aclassysassylassy, paid $6.60, 3.00 and 2.60.

"I warned Johnny (jockey Velazquez) that when she gets hooked, she'll play with other horses for a bit, but then go on again," said Brownlee.

Brazilian, one of the morning line favorites, was a late scratch after flipping in the saddling enclosure. According to track veterinarian Dr. Mary Scollay, the filly was not seriously injured.

(Chart, Equibase)