Texas Stakes Racing
10/15/2008

THE LAST DANSE smashes U.S. Turf Record in the
Tiki Diablo Hall of Fame Classic Stakes 2008

article by Corliss Hazard

October 4, 2008- The Tiki Diablo Hall of Fame Classic Stakes ran Saturday night at Retama Park with a field of eight horses. The Last Dance, a beautiful bay stallion by Falina Des Fabries, ran a storybook perfect race, destroying the favorites in this 7 1/2 furlong challenge on the turf. He prevailed in a time of 1:37.23, smashing the U.S. Turf Record of 1:39.

The race went off at 7:02 p.m. on a firm track. Caitylyns Hot broke off to a good beginning as By Golly Sand lept out to meet him from the far outside hole. These two set the tone as they took it to the first turn, running in 25 flat for the opening quarter. Side by side, Caitlyns Hot and By Golly Sand had pulled clear by 6 lengths at the half, and it looked to be all their race. The Last Danse was holding third just a head over Djet Set De Falgas, both settled comfortably to make a move. Midway around the turn Caitlyns Hot took the lead but started to tire along with her challenger By Golly Sand who bore out and dropped back quickly. The Last Danse made a quick run coming into the stretch and grabbed the lead, while from far outside Djet Set De Falgas started to gain. Djet Set De Falgas chased to the end, but was no match for The Last Danse who drew off by 4 1/4 lengths.
Sharp Cookie made a mild bid and chalked up a third. Caitlyns Hot was 4th, By Golly Sand was 5th, followed by Kryptonite CS, Spring With Caily, and Royal Opal.

The Last Danse is a 5 year old by Falina Des Fabries out of the mare Rein Danse by Wiking. He was bred by Trackside Farm, ridden to victory by Larry Taylor, and trained by Jernesto Torrez. The Last Danse is owned by Ken and Nancy Blewett. Nancy commented, "The Last Danse is a one of a kind treasure. His dam, Rein Danse, who was very special, died after The Last Danse was born. There are no more foals from her. And sadly, The Last Danse's sire, Falina Des Fabries, has also passed away. He can never be duplicated. The Last Danse has achieved so very much at such a young age I am awestruck- he has won a Darley Award, won a Triple Crown race, as well as 4 other stakes races. The quality speaks volumes for itself. I personally feel that it is my responsibility to see that the legacy of both Rein Danse and Falina Des Fabries are preserved in the future generations. This is not a responsibility I take lightly. That may help explain why I own so many Falina get."
Success in this stake brings The Last Danse's record to 18(5-3-1)5, $80,659.

The Texas Arabian Breeders Association thanks Sam Vasquez for his generous sponsorship of this race named as a memorial to one of Sam's outstanding horses, Tiki Diablo ($155,858). For 6 years Sam stood with this star athlete in 18 win photos, the results of thrilling performances Tiki Diablo fans all enjoyed. This stake each year serves to remind us of all the great Arabian racehorses we have been fortunate to know.

2008 Texas Arabian Oaks & Texas Arabian Derby

TM Marie Laveau, Wire to Wire in the Texas Arabian Oaks

It was no contest for TM Marie Laveau as she blew away the field in the one mile $16,050 Texas Oaks. The 4-year-old nearly white filly by Burning Sand broke on top, led from the start and never looked back. She drew off in the stretch to win by 11 3/4 lengths as fans cheered wildly. TM Marie Laveau had prepped for this race four days ago turning in a modest 54:20 in an easy 1/2 mile breeze. TM Marie Laveau's Oak's performance adds to her already commendable record. Out of 12 races she's accomplished 3 wins, 6 seconds and 1 third placing. Two of these finishes were stakes placings, in the Cobra Oaks and Santa Rosa Arabian Stake.
DC Willful Spirit ran a nice race, moving up by the half to secure second, but she was no match for the winner. Dancers Misty Reign moved up a bit from the back to take third. AK Loretta, Canttouchmaxzeen and Romanticism finished the field.

Caitlyns Hot, Wire to Wire in the Texas Arabian Derby

Caitlyns Hot was smokin' in the $20,000 Grade 3 Texas Arabian Derby. Jockey Steve Bourque in his favorite wire-to-wire style wasted no time getting to the lead. His steed was all for the strategy, opening up by 4 on the final turn and driving off to win by 9 1/4 lengths. Caitlyns Hot is a 4 year old chestnut gelding by Burning Sand. He already had one stakes win this year (Cobra Derby), and was two times stakes placed (Ferndale Arabian Stake and the Pat Gregg Cobra Sprint). Caitlyns Hot's record is now 11(5-3-1)2-2.
Kryptonite CS went off as the favorite in this race but had a bit of a rough trip going wide in the turns. He was no match for the winner, but managed to keep second as Spring With Caily came up for third. Ala Bout Me looked like a strong contender as he had chased the winner the entire first half of the race, but he came up empty in the far turn. Finales Majic SWA, Dancers Traveler, Balls To The Wall, and Kowboy CS also ran.