Button Dancer Dances For Button Down

Button Down Racing’s Button Dancer ran away from the field in the first race at Ellis Park on Friday, July 17, winning by almost nine lengths under steady urging from rider Leandro Goncalves. In breaking her maiden, Button Dancer gave trainer Bill Connelly his 1,000th win.

The 4-Y-O daughter of Runaway Dancer pulled into the lead halfway through the race and never looked back, as she continued to pull away all the way to the wire.

“This is a special win,” said Button Down president Michael Hardesty. “A year ago, all we were trying to do was make sure she wasn’t going to have to be put down.”

Button Dancer sustained a fractured tibia in early 2007, and while recuperating, developed laminitus, which not only threatened her racing career, but threatened her life.

“Dale Scroggin did a wonderful job of being patient with this filly and giving her a chance to get back to the track. He’s a big part of this story,” said Hardesty. Scroggin operates Scroggin Stables in Burlington, Kentucky, a facility that boards, breaks, and rehabs horses.

“It was also special that Bill got the big No. 1000,” continued Hardesty. “I asked him if he was going to prop up his feet and rest on his laurels for a moment or two and he said, “No. I’ve got to take this filly back to Turfway Park.’ That’s typical of his undying work ethic.”

Button Dancer now has one win and two places in her seven starts.

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