Dancin Lance hopes to strut to fourth straight score

Dancin Lance (Always A Virgin), who has used his closing kick to win his first three starts at the meet, looks to keep the momentum going in Friday (Dec. 9) night’s $12,500 Dave Goldschmidt Free-for-All Pace.

The Goldschmidt will headline a 10-race card conducted under the Watch and Wager LLC banner and first post is set for 6:45 p.m.

Dancin Lance is a six-year-old owned by Juan Pacheco, takes his lessons from Leon Smith and will have Mel Mullet at the controls.

The dark-hued performer comes into Friday’s assignment with 18 wins from his 124 starts, including the perfect record at this meet, he has a 1:50 3/5 mark that was established at Hoosier Park this summer and is looking to add to a $128,000 bank account.

In each of his three local scores, the first two with Luke Plano and the most recent with Devon Tharps, Dancin Lance has taken an early stalking position, attacked on the final turn and proved strongest in the drive.

Albergo Hanover was his most immediate victim last week for driver/trainer Chip Lackey, completing the exacta behind Dancin Lance for the third straight week, while the Gerry Longo reined-and-trained A Major Omen had pace-setting duties in that most recent clash at the head of the class and was only beaten a length while rounding out the show spot.

Completing the cast are Keystone Tenacious, Hoo Nien A, Watchmeneighneigh and Bombay Hanover.

Cowboys Dirtyboots lighting up the toteboard

On the verge of celebrating his 11th birthday, Cowboys Dirtyboots (Brandon’s Cowboy) has developed into the darling of the longshot players at this meet.

He’s captured both of his appearances at the stand, clicking at 10-1 in the first and coming right back last week to post a $46 surprise. Daryl Thiessen guided him in the initial tally, and it was Rene Goulet doing the honors last weekend.

The Canadian-bred Cowboys Dirtyboots is trained by Marco Rios, who co-owns the veteran pacer with Vince Jocobo, and he was making start No. 247 while appearing in the charmed circle for the 36th time with a 1:52 4/5 mark that was established over this layout last season.

“I claimed him four years ago here and he’s been very good to us,” Rios related after the most recent score. “He may be 10, but he acts more like a 3 or 4-year-old around the barn and he’s great to train.”

Cowboys Dirtyboots made a huge move at the half to account for his first race here in romping fashion, then tackled a tougher crew at most recent asking and did the track-and-attack to perfection to get the job done by a length.

“Both of his races have been strong, but I have to say he really impressed me last time with the way he finished,” his mentor noted.

Cowboys Dirtyboots is set to continue his march to 250 starts when he suits up in Friday’s 9th race.

For complete Friday race entries, click here.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness