Indian War Dance goes out a winner
As president of the Exceller Fund, which works to transition thoroughbreds to second careers off the track, Gary Contessa is used to helping find homes for former racehorses. But when owner Mark Valentine decided to retire 9-year-old Indian War Dance, the trainer didn’t hesitate.
“He had told me, if I still owned Indian War Dance when he couldn’t race anymore, to let him know,” said Valentine. “He was really a favorite around the barn. And when I called Gary, he immediately said, ‘I got dibs on the horse. Bring him down to my farm.’”
It’s easy to see why. After breaking his maiden at Aqueduct Racetrack in December of 2003, the son of Cherokee Run went on to win 15 more races on the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit and in New Jersey, including a victory in the Kelly Kip Stakes at Belmont Park and a third-place finish in the Bay Shore at the Big A in 2004. Claimed for $35,000 by Contessa for Winning Move Stable in May, 2007, Indian War Dance made 11 starts for his new connections over the next 18 months, compiling a record of 3-1-1.
“He was one of the grittiest performers on the circuit,” recalled Contessa. “He always tried hard.”
Claimed from Contessa in January, 2009, Indian War Dance changed hands no fewer than eight more times before being claimed back by the trainer for Valentine in December. He raced once more at the Big A, finishing third in a $7,500 claimer on January 24, and spent the remainder of the year at Finger Lakes.
“He was sound and honest and always tried hard, but he wasn’t beating the horses he should have been beating,” said Valentine. “I didn’t want to embarrass him, and with the winter coming on, it was time.”
Indian War Dance would race one more time at Finger Lakes, facing 10 others in a six-furlong race on November 20. Sent off at 9-2, the 9-year-old gelding quickly dropped back to seventh, but then rallied through the stretch and onto a two-length victory, the 17th in his 63-race career that garnered more than $400,000 in purses earned.
“He deserved to go out a winner,” said Valentine. “People asked me, ‘He just won, why are you retiring him?’ but it was the perfect time.”
His shoes pulled, Indian War Dance is relaxing in trainer Sal Iorio, Jr.’s Finger Lakes barn, awaiting clearance to make the move to Contessa’s Deer Run Farm in Petersburg, N.Y., 30 miles east of Saratoga Springs.
“I was thrilled to hear that Mark wanted to do the right thing and give him a well-deserved retirement,” said Contessa. “I could have gotten him adopted, but he was always near and dear to my heart. He’ll be joining the ranks of Platinum Setting, Tropical Play, and some of the other retired horses at my farm. We have a full house, but it’s a comfortable full house. I’m delighted to have him.”