Danish Dynaformer's a rising turf star

Charles Fipke's homebred Danish Dynaformer spreadeagled the field in Sunday's $382,157 Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine, the final jewel of Canada's Triple Crown. And the manner of his performance transcended the usual caveats about this being restricted company. By pummeling his foes through a final quarter in :23.76, and extending his margin to 7 3/4 lengths at the wire, the blueblood served notice that he can be a force outside these friendly confines for Hall of Famer Roger Attfield.

My thoughts immediately turned to the Grade 1 fixtures over this same course and 1 1/2-mile trip, the September 13 Northern Dancer Turf (G1) and October 18 Canadian International (G1). But could connections have a serious discussion about the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1)? He did capture a Keeneland turf allowance earlier this season, and at the moment, it's shaping up as an open-looking renewal.

Danish Dynaformer boasts a superb pedigree, and no shortage of upside. By the late, internationally renowned Dynaformer, he was produced by the Danehill mare Danish Wildcat, a full sister to Group 2 winner and multiple Grade/Group 1-placed performer Ivan Denisovich. Danish Wildcat is also a three-quarter sister to 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) star War Chant. Their dam is another Breeders' Cup winner, 1993 Distaff (G1) heroine and champion three-year-old filly Hollywood Wildcat.

A troubled third in his stakes debut in the May 16 Marine (G3), the bay captured the June 14 Plate Trial, only to be denied late by Shaman Ghost in the July 5 Queen's Plate. Danish Dynaformer was given a chance on the dirt in the second jewel, the July 28 Prince of Wales, but wound up sixth.

Attfield self-deprecatingly said that he feared he'd messed it up by running Danish Dynaformer there, having been persuaded by his good work on dirt. The Breeders' put paid to that concern, for his pupil did what he was born to do: tackling a long trip on turf.

Parked in second early as longshot Samuel Dechamplain carved out the pace, the 7-5 favorite took command still in hand at the top of the lane. When Patrick Husbands set him down with a simple hand ride, Danish Dynaformer exuded class and left them toiling. He finished in 2:29.28, a time reflective of the slow pace.

Conquest Boogaloo was best of the rest. Prince of Wales winner Breaking Lucky retreated to last.

Queen's Plate winner Shaman Ghost, runner-up in the Prince of Wales, did not enter the final jewel.

Photo courtesy of WEG/Michael Burns Photography.