Mona Rosa Upsets Inish Glora in Dance Smartly

Mona Rose and jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva combined for the first stakes wins of their careers at Woodbine Saturday, upsetting Inish Glora in the $212,450 Dance Smartly (Can-III).

A veteran rider in his native Brazil but just getting started in Canada, a joyous Rosa da Silva raised his left arm strides before the wire in anticipation of his euphoric one-length win aboard the 4-year-old filly.

"I am very happy," said a nearly breathless Rosa da Silva in the winner's circle. "This is very good for myself."

With two scratches, just four started with Inish Glora, the reigning Canadian turf female champion, the 3-5 choice.

Rosa da Silva settled the bay daughter of Gold Legend behind a trio of pacesetters throughout much of the 1 1/8-mile turf race before asking Mona Rose for a charge at the leaders in mid-stretch. The Ontario-bred responded with a huge move, mowing down Inish Glora to win going away in 1:48.18.

It was the eighth Woodbine win for Rosa da Silva, who tallied his first local victory on May 20 aboard Point Hidden.

"I had a lot (of horse)," Rosa da Silva said, about the Dance Smartly triumph. "I spent a lot of time studying the race and everything went as I thought. The trip was nice. Everything went well. Past the eighth pole I thought I had a big chance to win because she was still very strong."

Trainer Earl Barnett, who won his third race of the meet and first stakes score in the Dance Smartly, praised the jockey for his effort. "(Rosa da Silva) rides her well and stuck with her. We're happy for him.

"I always had faith in (Mona Rose)," Barnett continued. "She's big and strong. She's a good filly. She's bred for turf and handles it well."

Mona Rose, who now has four career wins from nine starts, collected $133,844 in the Dance Smartly for owner Paul and Frank O'Brien. The February foal now has lifetime earnings of $290,409.

Her only other added-money try was a sixth-place finish in the Carotene Stakes last October.

She paid $13.20 to win and combined with Inish Glora for a $28.40 exacta. Classic Stamp finished third. There was no place, show or trifecta wagering.

(Chart, Equibase)