Everything has gone smoothly for Dance to Bristol and trainer Ollie Figgins this year. All that’s left is getting her and her humans to the West Coast while keeping 40+ horses on the East Coast happy.
Breeders’ Cup-bound Dance to Bristol breezed five furlongs in 58 3/5 seconds today in her last move prior to the big event.
For Ollie Figgins and Dance to Bristol, routine doesn’t just bring success; it forges connections across the generations.
Racing is a competitive business, but some of Dance to Bristol’s biggest fans are other trainers at the Bowie Training Center.
“My whole family has been involved” in his training career says Ollie Figgins, III. That makes Dance to Bristol’s meteoric rise something of a family affair.
In our weekly feature, Maryland Jockey Club analyst Gabby Gaudet shares her Saturday longshots and exotic plays with The Racing Biz.
Susan and David Wantz treat all their horses like “our children,” they say. One of those kids — Dance to Bristol — looks to be an honors student.
Rider Xavier Perez has a tattoo in honor of what he calls “my big horse.” That it’s not of Grade 1 winner Dance to Bristol points out what’s enabling him to succeed.
Trainer Ollie Figgins and Dance to Bristol have done just about everything right so far during a magical season that has them on the brink of a Breeders’ Cup trip. Our new weekly series will follow them from here to there.
J.D. Brown likes stories where success comes from unexpected places. As the agent for filly star Dance to Bristol’s rider, Xavier Perez, Brown is living just such a story — and hoping the ride continues.