War Dancer Storms Home on Keeneland Turf

Magdalena Racing’s War Dancer, who spotted the field nearly 10 lengths after being unprepared at the start, rallied from last in a field of 12 to win the featured $60,000 Taylor Made Purse for three-year-olds by a half-length over Positively before a crowd of 9,359 on a warm Wednesday afternoon at Keeneland.

Trained by Ken McPeek and ridden by Alan Garcia, War Dancer covered 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:42.44.

War Dancer trailed the field until midway on the far turn when he began picking off horses. Turning for home with only three horses beat, Garcia angled War Dancer to the far outside for clear running that got him to the front in the final yards.

A Kentucky-bred son of War Front out of the Alydeed mare Deed I Do, War Dancer boosted his bankroll to $71,280 with Wednesday’s $36,000 check.

As the favorite in the field, War Dancer returned $5.40, $3.60 and $3. Positively, ridden by Rosie Napravnik, returned $5 and $3.80 with Tenforthemoney finishing third under Corey Lanerie and paying $6.20 to show.