Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams

re: Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams

Slew — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:32:05 GMT

Someone recently asked me that if I could own any 3 year old, which would it be. Of course, Frankel first came to mind...but he's not in the USA, and not on the Triple Crown trail. In the US, having a fondness for dark bays, and not enthusiastic about grays, my answer quickly came...it was Dancinginherdreams. She simply has the most effortless stride, and stretches out with such efficiency and speed that within each race she becomes a thing of beauty, almost ethereal. I have not yet seen the colt or filly with better locomotion than she. I love watching her run, and I would love to see her take the Oaks...but for my money...the Kentucky Oaks this year may be tougher than the Derby. We're blessed with a lot of top class fillies, and it should prove interesting and challenging.

re: Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams

Rachel — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:22:34 GMT

You're a great trainer who loves his horses...all the best!! PS My money was on Monarchos...thanks!

re: Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams

KYracefan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:51:52 GMT

I find it interesting that Ward wants her to be a closer and specifically says he doesn't want her ridden hard out of the gate. Watch the replay of the Davona Dale. Leparoux rides her hard out of the gate, pulls her back, then brings her back up just off the pace. Hard to be a closer with that ride. I'd say she showed class to still get up for second. Same jockey got her beat in the Forward Gal by giving her a way wide trip and leaving too much for her to do at the end. Again, she still gets up for second. Don't get me wrong, he's one of the best in the country but he's getting in this filly's way. She wants to win she just needs her rider to let her. The question is will Ward realize this and have the guts to switch jockeys for her next start especially given that Leparoux is most likely going to jump off Dancinginherdreams in the Oaks in favor of Kathmanblu. Can't blame him, she's on form and McPeek has a lot more horses in training than Ward. Which one do you think he's going to risk ticking off? Especially since he can't seem to get this filly right this year.

re: Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams

sceptre — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:28:11 GMT

I hate to have to throw cold water on all this, but Dancinginherdreams was very disappointing in the Davona Dale. A while back, I had her pegged as the standout filly of her crop, and rated her highly for the Derby itself. M. Ward's comments would have us believe that she was very right leading up to the Davona Dale. So what happened? I've read nothing from Mr. Ward since that race. I have noticed, that while Tapit is off to a very fine start at stud, many of them are inconsistent and disappoint when least expected-a trait I've noticed in his sire Pulpit as well.

re: Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams

needler in Virginia — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:58:38 GMT

All the best to Mr Ward, and ALL good wishes for his new filly. His training style has always been what I would hope for in a trainer, and has obviously produced grand results. THIS is the kind of trainer who should be cloned, and I applaud his remaining on the path that works for him and his horses.

Well done, Mr Ward, and VERY safe trips for all your horses.

re: Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams

Zenyatta John — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:23:57 GMT

Excellent article Jennifer , if you need any other suggestions , I free for a conversation!