TORONTO, August 5, 2026 – Multiple graded stakes-placed Dancin in Da’nile will look to earn his first stakes victory in the $125,000 Niagara, a 1 3/8-mile inner turf test for 3-year-olds and up, on Saturday at Woodbine. A 7-year-old gelded son of Pioneerof the Nile out of the Awesome Again mare Dance Again, Dancin in Da’nile finished a rallying second in last year’s Niagara Stakes, which was contested at 1 1/4 miles. “I have had him since he was 2,” said trainer Gail Cox, who co-owns Dancin in Da’nile with Ralph Murray, John Menary and Michael Balaz. “He’s always been a bit quirky. These days, he needs to be saddled on the walk – that’s just how he is – and he needs a little time to get in the gate. But that is just him and that part of his personality doesn’t change. And neither does him putting in a big effort every time.” Bred by Sam-Son Farm, the dark bay has compiled a record of 4-4-5 from 33 starts while earning $444,658. He is directly descended from Sam-Son’s legendary champion Dance Smartly, his fourth dam. Dancin in Da’nile debuted with a victory on Aug. 29, 2021. He went on to finish second in that year’s Coronation Futurity Stakes and was fifth in the 2022 Queen’s Plate. Among his other career highlights are a third-place finish in the 2025 Singspiel Stakes (G3T) and a runner-up effort at odds of 16-1 in the Louisville Stakes (G3T) on May 16. “It was a fantastic effort in the Louisville,” said Cox. “He shipped well and put everything together for a really nice run that day. He’s just a nice older horse to have and you can always count on him to go out and give you nothing short of an honest effort.” In his most recent start on June 13, Dancin in Da’nile finished third behind multiple graded stakes winner and recent Arlington Million (G1T) victor Burnham Square in the 1 3/8-mile Chorleywood Stakes at Churchill Downs. “Burnham Square wasn’t supposed to run in that race,” noted Cox. “But that’s how it came up and Dancin in Da’nile ran his typical race, where he was all heart.” Dancin in Da’nile last visited the winner’s circle on Nov. 2, 2024, capturing an inner turf allowance optional claimer over the same 1 3/8-mile distance as the Niagara Stakes. Dancin in Da’nile and jockey Jose Campos winning Race 9 on November 2, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Cox is hoping it’s more than a coincidence for the veteran campaigner, who has five top three placings in his past six starts. “The farther the race, the better it is for him,” said the multiple graded stakes-winning conditioner. “He loves to go a distance.” Carlos Balbuena is the groom. Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse will send out Swift Delivery. Sporting a record of 4-1-4 from 19 starts, along with $256,479 in purse earnings, Swift Delivery arrives at his seventh graded engagement off a third in the Dominion Day Stakes on June 27. “I thought his last race was good,” said Casse. “He’ll enjoy the grass and the further the better for this horse.” Swift Delivery’s profile skyrocketed in August 2024 when NFL star Travis Kelce acquired an ownership stake in him alongside Team Valor International and Gary Barber (Steven Rocco and Bruce Zoldan also co-own). The purchase sparked widespread mainstream media attention due to the coincidental nod to Kelce’s now-wife, Taylor Swift. A 5-year-old son of Not This Time out of the Rockport Harbor mare Raegen Harper, the roan gelding took the 2025 edition of the Seagram Cup (G3). Bred in Kentucky by Hunt-Steeple Hill, Swift Delivery was a $55,000 purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton May Digital Selected Sale. Recent works: Dancin in Da’nile covered 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 over the Woodbine turf training track on July 26. On Aug. 2, he traveled 4 furlongs in :49.80 on the Toronto oval main track. “His turf works have been great, maybe even a little too good,” said Cox. “We had a quiet maintenance work on Sunday. We were hoping to work him on the turf and held out hope that we could, but there was just way too much rain. But with him, it doesn’t matter if it’s soft or firm, he loves the turf.” Fast Facts: Stanley House earned his first stakes success in last year’s running of the Niagara. Who’s the Star, ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson, won the 2022 edition at 13-1. Wagering menu for the Niagara: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / $1 Swinger. Field for the $125,000 Niagara Stakes Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – Roscar – David Moran – Rachel Halden 2 – Dancin in Da’nile – Pietro Moran – Gail Cox 3 – Side Street – Jose Campos – Rachel Halden 4 – English Actor – Fraser Aebly – Rachel Halden 5 – Faber – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Kevin Attard 6 – Swift Delivery – Eswan Flores – Mark Casse 7 – Sultana – Romero Ramsay Maragh – Kevin Attard 8 – Summer Cause – Sahin Civaci – Miguel Clement 9 – Junipero Serra – Leo Salles – Audrey Cheung 10 – Truly Quality – Rafael Hernandez – Jonathan Thomas 11 – Twowaycrossing – Ryan Munger – Richard Morden 12 (AE) – Watsonville Red – Eswan Flores – Mike De Paulo -30- Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
