Ballet Dancing cruises to victory in G3 Santa Ana Stakes

Daughter of Medaglia d’Oro draws off in the stretch on way to earning her first Graded Stakes win

Ballet Dancing swept to the lead on the far turn and never looked back on her way to posting a three-and-a-half-length victory in the G3 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday, 12 March.

The Santa Ana was the first Graded Stakes win for the four-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly, who has now finished in the money in six of nine career starts.

Ridden confidently by jockey Flavien Prat, Ballet Dancing tracked leader Annaghlasa from second throughout the early stages of the 10-furlong turf contest. Asked for a bit more entering the far turn, Ballet Dancing responded, sweeping past Annaghlasa to take the lead as the field entered the homestretch. Ballet Dancing continued to pull away through the final furlong to win easily.

Bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Old Oak Farm, Ballet Dancing was purchased as a yearling for $800,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September sale. Ballet Dancing is out of Fully Living, a G2 Stakes-placed daughter of Unbridled’s Song. In addition to Ballet Dancing, Fully Living has produced multiple Graded Stakes-placed Untreated (Nyquist), and hails from the immediate family of Eclipse Champion Juvenile Filly and multiple G1 winner, Halfbridled (Unbridled).

Ballet Dancing continues the recent hot streak for her sire, Medaglia d’Oro, who is also represented by recent Stakes winners Endorsed (G2 Gulfstream Park Mile, G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes) and Botanical (Cincinnati Trophy Stakes).

Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2023 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $100,000, stands and nurses.