By Beth Harris
Associated Press
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Dance in the Mood put a lot of bad memories behind her Saturday, winning the $750,000 CashCall Mile by 1¾ lengths for her Japanese connections.
The 5-year-old mare was coming off a tough stretch that included a 14-race losing streak, which ended in May, and a second-place finish in the 2004 American Oaks at Hollywood Park.
Two years ago, Dance in the Mood got a poor ride from her Japanese jockey. This time, Victor Espinoza, who leads the jockeys' standings, was on board.
He guided Dance in the Mood over one mile on the turf in a stakes record 1:33.33. The winner paid $7.20, $4.40 and $3.40 as the 8-1 wagering favorite.
The previous record was 1:33 4-5 by Tranquility Lake in 2000.
Dance in the Mood, a daughter of 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Sunday Silence, arrived nearly two weeks ago after a nine-hour flight from Japan.
That was part of trainer Kazuo Fujisawa's plan to familiarize Dance in the Mood with her surroundings.
"She was much better than two years ago," Fujisawa said through a translator. "She is completely different. She's matured, and I've given her a lot of time. I was quietly confident she would win."
Maryland-based Sweet Talker returned $5 and $3.80, while Irish-bred Luas Line was another half-length back in third and paid $7 to show.
"The winner is obviously a brilliant filly," said H. Graham Motion, trainer of Sweet Talker.
Dancing Edie, co-owned by J. Paul Reddam whose CashCall consumer lending company sponsored the race, was fourth. But Reddam still made it to the winner's circle as the trophy presenter.
Cambiocorsa was fifth, Shining Energy sixth, Great Britain-bred Toupie seventh and Flying Glitter last. Hollywood Story was scratched.
Dance in the Mood took the lead nearing midstretch, drifted in and then pulled away under Espinoza's left-handed whip.
"She was nice and relaxed, but she was just waiting for me to ask her," he said.
"When I moved my hands just a little bit, she took off so fast. Next thing I know, I was almost in the lead. I had already committed to go, and I wanted to beat everybody's momentum, so at that point I just figured we'd open it up as much as we could."
Dance in the Mood earned $400,000, increasing her career winnings to $4,885,512, with six wins in 21 starts.
Her 14-race losing streak lasted more than two years and included seven defeats last year, although she made several starts against male horses in Japan.
"(Last year), she was going through a stage where she couldn't relax going into races," Fujisawa said. "Now when she goes to the races, she doesn't sweat up or anything. She's 10 times quieter than she ever was before. We've changed her training and given her a lot of time."
Espinoza also won the $150,000 A Gleam Handicap by a nose aboard Somethinaboutlaura. She paid $5.20, $3 and $2.60 for Northern California-based trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who co-owns the filly.
