How to bet the 2022 Dance Smartly Stakes

A talented field of eight will go 1 1/16 miles over the Woodbine lawn in Sunday’s $200,000 Dance Smartly S. (G2). The grassy affair features a well-matched field of turf distaffers, and I will take a shot with #3 Fev Rover (7-2) in her North American debut for conditioner Mark Casse.

The Group 2 heroine was a high class performer while facing some of the best grass horses in Europe over the past two seasons, and I expect her to give a fine account of herself on Sunday. Purchased for $975,000 in December, the bay four-year-old comes in fresh and has been training in swift fashion leading up to this contest, as well. The filly showed the ability to race close up early on, or from off of the pace, and a big showing is expected with Patrick Husbands taking the reins.

#7 Wakanaka (2-1) has had the misfortune of running into some of the top fillies and mares in the division while still displaying a strong late kick for conditioner Bill Mott. The Italian import, who rallied to be a smart second in the Just A Game S. (G1) most recently, should take to the long stretch at Woodbine in her local bow. Consistently very good daughter of Power has been first or second in 10-of-12 lifetime tries to date and is a must use under Rafael Hernandez.

Josie Carroll’s #5 Seasons (12-1) has run quite well in each of her trio of tries upon the Woodbine lawn and has plenty of exotics appeal to me. The Tapit chestnut lacks the class of a few in the field, but her current form and affinity for the course makes her playable at a nice price. Versatile four-year-old will have Luis Contreras in the silks.

#4 Lady Speightspeare (3-1), who bagged the 2020 Natalma S. (G1) on the course, earned a 101 Brisnet Speed figure in her recent Nassau S. (G2) triumph for Attfield. Chestnut four-year-old led throughout in that victory, and she could be controlling speed once again if sent from the break by Emma-Jayne Wilson.

Dance Smartly Wagers

• $15 win and place #3 Fev Rover ($30)
• $2 exacta key box 3 with 4,5,7 ($12)
• $2 trifecta 3,7 with 3,7 with 4,5 ($8)