Frac Dancer Dances away with the Clarendon Stakes

Frac Dancer pulling away in the stretch to win the Clarendon Stakes (Photo M. Burns)

TORONTO, December 2, 2023 – Frac Dancer hung on gamely to take the co-featured $150,000 Clarendon Stakes, on Saturday at Woodbine.

Sent off as the 3-1 second choice in the race for Ontario-bred or Ontario-sired 2-year-olds, Frac Dancer, with Sahin Civaci aboard, broke sharply and was immediately confronted on the front end by Competitive Touch, as the trio of Cooler Man, Meko Makee, and 9-5 choice Midnight Mascot took position in the second flight through an opening quarter reached in :22.58.

The spirited tussle between Frac Dancer and Competitive Touch carried on after a half in :45.31 as the duo looked to separate themselves from their pursuers heading into the turn for home. Frac Dancer gained the upper hand coming off the turn and powered past Competitive Touch, as Midnight Mascot found daylight and attempted to track down his rival.

Ahead by a half-length at the stretch call, Frac Dancer dug in along the rail and was able to fend off Midnight Mascot by a neck for his second win in as many starts. Gun Court rallied to best Garofoli by a neck for third.

Competitive Touch, Meko Makee, and Cooler Man rounded out the order of finish.

The final time was 1:10.96.

Civaci, who won last year’s race with Armstrong, was impressed by the rookie’s gumption down the lane.

“There were a lot of speed horses, so that was one concern. We were just going to pop out of the gate and play the break and see where we are. We popped out very well. I kept him three (paths) off the rail just to keep him not too eager. Down the lane, when I asked him, he kicked on really well.”

A son of Frac Daddy-Dancing On Fire, bred and owned by Phoenix Racing, Frac Dancer, at 9-1, won his debut, taking a 5 ½-furlong Tapeta race in front-running fashion on October 15 at Woodbine.

Trained by Mike De Paulo, the roan colt returned $8.10 for the Clarendon win.