Say The Word takes out the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes
Former Vinery Stud shuttler More Than Ready (Southern Halo) added a 25th top-flight winner to his tally on Sunday when the Gail Cox-trained Say The Word (5 g ex Danceforthecause by Giant's Causeway) landed the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (Gr 1, 12f) at Woodbine.
Last seen running third in the Singspiel Stakes (Gr 3, 10f), the five-year-old gelding scooted clear in the closing stages to beat Sir Sahib (Fort Larned) by a length, while Admiralty Pier (English Channel) was another length and a quarter further away in third.
The gelding is out of the unraced mare Danceforthecause (Giant's Causeway), making him a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Rideforthecause (Candy Ride). Danceforthecause herself is a Listed winner Grand Style.
The gelding’s third dam Grade 1 winner Dance Smartly (Danzig), who in turn produced elite level winner Dancethruthesawn (Mr. Prospector), Grade 2 winner Dance The Ravens (A.P. Indy) and Listed scorer Scatter The Gold (Mr. Prospector).
Further back this is the family of Grade 1 winner Moreno (Ghostzapper) and Listed winner Dance Again (Awesome Again).
More Than Ready shuttled to Australia for 19 seasons, but did not return in 2020 and he now resides at WinStar Farm where his fee in 2020 was advertised as US$80,000.
