From Bad to Worse: Dancer Has One More Chance to Save Image

"Ill-starred" is how they go down in the record books of racing, the most record-conscious of sports.

There was the ill-starred Lamb Chop, champion filly who broke a leg and had to be shot; the ill-starred Kauai King, Derby winner who pulled up lame six weeks later and never raced again; the ill-starred Cool Reception, who finished second in the Belmont on three legs.

Now there is the ill-starred Dancer's Image. "Tarnished Image," the cynics were dubbing Peter Fuller's colt even before the painful debacle that was Saturday's Preakness Stakes. A half century of Triple Crown racing without a dis-qualification, and the Dancer in his Triple Crown career is now two-for-two, victim twice of bizarre circumstances largely beyond anyone's control.

On the front end, the race belonged beyond question to Forward Pass. Lucky post position, an excellent ride, and a perfect pace situation all contributed to the official Derby winner's six-length lead, which seemed to grow with every stride.

But luck ran out on the Dancer turning into the stretch when Sir Beau, a 28-to-1 shot, cut in front of him and forced him to bump Martin's Jig and Nodouble before finishing third. Sir Beau was equally at fault in the accident but was out of the money in any case; Dancer was placed eighth, behind Martin's Jig.

The 100th running of the Belmont on June 1 will be the race of the decade. No one wants Forward Pass to become the first Triple Crown winner in 20 years through the back door. Belmont, with its easy turns and gigantic stretch, is perfectly suited to a come-from-behind horse like Dancer's Image. If he is to earn a title besides "ill-starred," there will never be a better time.