On Sunday afternoon, a field of 6 older fillies and mares went 1 1/8 miles around one turn of Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Turf Course in the $300,000 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2). Gallorette Handicap (G3) and New York Stakes (G2) third place finisher Ave was sent off as the 6-5 favorite over 3-1 second choice Points of Grace, fourth in the Nassau Stakes (G2) at Woodbine last out, and 7-2 third choice Gypsy's Warning, off a win in the Eatontown Handicap (G3) at Monmouth Park in May.
Jockey Jim McAleney sent First Circle to the lead soon after the start, and she set early fractions of 24.05, 46.27, and 1:09.15 while being pressed by Points of Grace along the hedge and 6-1 Mekong Melody to her outside. On the far turn, First Circle tired badly and faded to finish last, as Mekong Melody moved up to take over the lead, opening up a 1 length advantage in mid stretch through 1 mile in 1:33.23. Favorite Ave, who raced in fifth early just 2 lengths back, came out wide for the drive to launch an all-out drive for the finish, but the photo determined that Mekong Melody held her off by a nose in 1:46.09 over firm going. It was another length back to Points of Grace third.
