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Soldiers Dancer Set for Battle with Silver Tree - 11-07-08
November 7 - Horseracing fans in Miami, Florida are in for a full day's horse racing tomorrow at Calder Race Course which will play home to the popular Florida Million program, the highlight of which is the 1 1/8 mile $150,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup, where Soldier's Dancer will go up against Silver Tree.
While 4-year-old colt Soldier's Dancer is half the age of Silver Tree, the two thoroughbreds have enjoyed a long and exciting rivalry. The last time the two faced each other was in the Tampa Bay Downs's Turf Classic in April this year, where Soldier's Dancer beat Silver Tree to the finish by a length and a half.
The colt has had a great season of it so far, winning three out of four starts - including the Tampa Bay Downs's Turf Classic, Philadelphia Park's President's Cup and most recently the Miami Mile Handicap (Gr 3) at Calder, proving that the Dave Vivian-trained Florida-bred horse is happiest on his home tracks.
Said Vivian, 'I wish he (Silver Tree) wasn't coming, because he will obviously be a tough horse to beat. That said, he might go to the front and prove to be an ideal pacesetter for Soldier's Dancer. Then over the last few furlongs Soldier's Dancer can use his age to full advantage and overtake the older horse.'
Trained by the respected Bill Mott, Silver Tree - despite his age - has also had a pretty good season so far, after earning an impressed $250,000 from just six starts, including wins in the Fort Marcy Handicap (Gr 3) and Oceanport Stakes (Gr 3). So far, the thoroughbred's career earnings have topped $1.8 million.
Miami punters will be eager to see whether youth and speed will overcome age and longevity or vice versa. Vivian will be eager for Soldier's Dancer to win the race that saw the colt's defeat to Revved Up in 2007, while Mott will be happy that Silver's weight of 121 pounds is 1 pound less than Soldier's Dancers.
As the feature race of the Florida Million program, the Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Handicap is one of the eight stakes races restricted to Florida-bred thoroughbreds that are scheduled for tomorrow, that includes the much anticipated $200,000 Carl G. Rose Handicap for older horses on Calder's main track.
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