Canadian News: Frac Dancer Makes a Comeback, Velocitor Competes in $500,000 Race

Undefeated FRAC DANCER, who clinched victory in the Clarendon Stakes during his second appearance as a two-year-old at Woodbine last year, is set to kick off his sophomore season in the $100,000 Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream on March 23. Trained by Mike DePaulo on behalf of Newtop Stable and John Russell, this offspring of Frac Daddy will be stepping onto the turf for the first time in the 5-furlong dash.

Frac Dancer has been showcasing swift performance during his training sessions on Gulfstream’s Tapeta track this winter. Among the contenders in the race is three-time stakes champion No Nay Mets (Ire), who secured fourth place in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last November at Santa Anita.

At Fair Grounds this Saturday, amidst a remarkable lineup of races headlined by the Louisiana Derby (G2), VELOCITOR, the 2023 Prince of Wales Stakes champion, is slated to compete in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2), covering 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Bred and owned in Ontario by Al and Bill Ulwelling, this offspring of Mor Spirit triumphed in his Fair Grounds debut on Feb. 12 under the guidance of trainer Gary Scherer, prevailing at 1 mile and 70 yards on dirt with an impressive career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure. David Cohen will be aboard Velocitor for this challenge. Velocitor finds himself in a formidable field that includes the Louisiana-bred standout Touchuponastar, boasting an impressive record of 11 wins out of 14 races and four consecutive stakes victories.

At Fair Grounds on Saturday, amidst a spectacular array of races headlined by the Louisiana Derby (G2), the 2023 Prince of Wales Stakes champion, VELOCITOR, will grace the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2), covering 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Bred and owned in Ontario by Al and Bill Ulwelling, this offspring of Mor Spirit triumphed in his Fair Grounds debut on Feb. 12 under the guidance of trainer Gary Scherer, delivering an exceptional career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure over 1 mile and 70 yards on dirt. David Cohen will pilot Velocitor for this challenge. Velocitor faces formidable opposition, notably the Louisiana-bred standout Touchuponastar, boasting an impressive record of 11 wins out of 14 races, including four consecutive stakes victories.

This Sunday, KAUKOKAIPUU, the runner-up in the Prince of Wales stakes, gears up for his four-year-old debut in a highly competitive sprint allowance/optional race at Gulfstream Park on dirt. Trained by Ted Holder, this gray colt has been diligently preparing at Classic Mile Training Centre. Joe Bravo will be in the saddle for this event. Sharing the field are notable contenders such as COOL KISS, the Plate Trial runner-up trained by Mike DePaulo, and ROCKCREST, the 2023 Pink Lloyd Stakes winner. Notably, ROCKCREST, owned and trained by Nigel Burke, will be testing his mettle on dirt for the first time.

On the training grounds, MY BOY PRINCE, Canada's standout two-year-old of 2023, showcased a stellar performance with a bullet workout on Wednesday at Palm Meadows. Covering four furlongs in an impressive 47.80 on the dirt from the gate, this top-class colt owned by Gary Barber and trained by Mark Casse is honing his form for the upcoming Palisades Stakes at Keeneland in early April.