The Dance Smartly Stakes is a thoroughbred horse race run annually in August at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A Grade II stakes race raced on turf, it is open to fillies and mares three years of age and older and run at miles. Originally known as the Woodbine Handicap, the race was renamed in 1998 for Dance Smartly, the second filly to win the Canadian Triple Crown who went undefeated during the 1991 racing season and was inducted into both the Canadian and United States Racing Hall of Fames.
Inaugurated in 1986, it was raced on dirt through 1989 at a distance of miles. In 1990 it was switched over to the turf course and raced that year at miles after which it remained on the turf but at its original miles. It was lengthened to miles in 2017. In 2022 the race returned to the current distance of miles.
Records Time record on turf:
miles (current distance): 1:39.46 – Wakanaka (2022) miles: 1:44.25 – Overheard (2014) miles: 1:59.51 – Santa Monica (2018)
Most wins: 2 – Radiant Ring (1991, 1992)
Most wins by an owner: 3 – Sam-Son Farm (1991, 1992, 1998)
Most wins by a jockey: 4 – Patrick Husbands (1999, 2003, 2010, 2016)
Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Roger Attfield (1987, 2002, 2005, 2010)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2026Warming4Fraser AeblyH. Graham MotionEclipse Thoroughbred Partners1:43.782025Breath Away (GB)5Sahin CivaviMiguel ClementReeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Rocco and Marc I. Levine1:41.742024Mouffy5Vincent CheminaudJonathan ThomasAugustin Stables1:42.072023Miss Dracarys5Javier CastellanoNeil D. DrysdaleAl Shira'aa Farms1:39.602022Wakanaka 4Rafael Manuel HernandezWilliam I. MottTeam Valor International & Gary Barber1:39.462021Mutamakina5Dylan DavisChristophe ClementAl Shira'aa Farms2:01.262020Theodora B.5Justin SteinMichael DickinsonAugustin Stable2:02.352019Holy Helena5Javier CastellanoJames JerkensStronach Stables2:02.082018Santa Monica5José OrtizChad C. BrownMagnier/Madaket Stables/Pearson1:59.512017Starship Jubilee (DH)Rainha Da Bateria(DH)45Eurico Rosa Da SilvaJavier CastellanoKevin AttardChad C. BrownKevin Attard, Soli MehtaLeal Stable2:01.912016Lexie Lou 5Patrick HusbandsMark E. CasseGary Barber1:44.892015Strut the Course5Luis ContrerasBarbara J. MinshallJohn Unger1:45.412014Overheard4Eurico Rosa Da SilvaMalcolm PiercePin Oak Stable1:44.252013Solid Appeal4Jesse M. CampbellReade BakerJim & Susan Hill1:46.192012Marketing Mix4Julien LeparouxThomas F. ProctorGlen Hill Farm1:48.022011Never Retreat6Shaun BridgmohanChris BlockTeam Block1:46.482010Mekong Melody5Patrick HusbandsRoger L. AttfieldDavid C. Egan1:46.092009Points of Grace4Luis ContrerasMalcolm PierceLive Oak Racing1:45.512008The Niagara Queen5Jim McAleneySteve AsmussenThe Elite Racing Company1:50.012007Masseuse5Edgar PradoJames J. TonerH.R.C. Elser et al.1:45.552006Ambitious Cat5Todd KabelEric CoatrieuxChiefswood Stable1:49.812005Noble Stella4Emile RamsammyRoger AttfieldGary A. Tanaka1:49.952004Mona Rose4E. R. Da SilvaR. Earl BarnettPaul & Frank O'Brien1:48.182003Madeira Mist4Patrick HusbandsChristophe ClementSkymarc Farm1:48.052002Sweetest Thing4Jim McAleneyRoger AttfieldLael Stables1:45.722001Alexis5Jono JonesCliff Hopmans Jr.D. Morgan Firestone1:47.812000Except For Wanda5Jim McAleneyBruce R. SmitherGeorge W. Richter1:46.611999Ascot Yael5Patrick HusbandsJohn A. RossR.M.C. Stable1:47.251998Colorful Vices5Todd KabelMark FrostadSam-Son Farm1:46.201997Woolloomooloo5Todd KabelDavid R. BellRichard & Jo Ellen Shaw1:46.801996Bold Ruritana6Robert LandryBarbara MinshallMinshall Farms1:46.601995Memories4Shane SellersBurke Kessinger Jr.Haynes/New Phoenix Stable1:47.201994Silky Feather4Steven BahenRichard Violette Jr.Stanton P. Powell1:50.001993Myrtle Irene4Sandy HawleyDavid C. BrownDon & Jane Anne McClelland1:46.401992Radiant Ring4Jack LauzonJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1:46.401991Radiant Ring3Pat DayJames E. DaySam-Son Farm1:46.001990Fieldy7Eddie MapleThomas J. Skiffington Jr.Fernwood Stable1:44.801989Charming Sassafras4Ray SabourinJohn A. RossAubrey W. Minshall1:52.001988Grecian Flight4Craig PerretJoseph H. Pierce Jr.Henry C. B. Lindh1:50.601987Triple Wow4Don SeymourRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:54.001986Bessarabian4Sandy HawleyMichael J. DoyleEaton Hall Farm1:52.00
*In 1986, Triple Wow finished first but was disqualified and placed last following a positive test for a banned medication.
See also List of Canadian flat horse races
References