Danner Racing Stable

06/28/2024

Welaka rolled home at Churchill today to get his 3rd career win! While his half brother, Ponce de Leon, has shown he likes sprinting on the synthetic surface, Welaka is taking after his multiple graded stakes winning dam, St. John’s River, in loving the two turn dirt. This is his second win of the year going 1 1/16 miles. Owner and breeder Dede McGehee was able to be present for his win! Congratulations to his groom Rodrigo on all his hard work getting him ready to win.

06/26/2024

Turfway this morning

06/22/2024

Keeping cool with a mist during this heatwave! During the summer, especially at Colonial Downs, misters are set up on the ceiling to help keep the horses comfortable. The fans then blow the water on them and the horses really enjoy it!

06/19/2024

The Danner Racing win streak is now at 3 days! Purse Thief made sure of it today in just his second start, winning a MSW at Churchill Downs! This 2 year old Caracaro c**t was purchased out of the March OBS sale by owners Eli Diamant and Crowns Way Racing. We also want to recognize his groom, Misael, for his hard work on getting him looking his best for today! Earlier today, 2 year old Time for Restraint ran 2nd in a MSW at Presque Isle in his first career start!

06/18/2024

New day, new double for Danner Racing and (this time) owner NBS Stables! First, Warning Signs easily pulled away to break his maiden going long by over 4 lengths, then Sickle Dance followed that win up by breaking her maiden in a MSW going 5/8. Adam Beschizza did a great job on both.

06/17/2024

Danner Racing and owner/ breeder Dede McGehee went 2 for 2 today at Presque Isle! First, Willow Oak made her first career start a successful one, easily winning a MSW and becoming her sire’s (War of Will) first winner! This two year old filly is the first foal out of dam Joyful Cat. Later in the card, Ponce de Leon made it two wins in a row, easily dominating the Tom Ridge Stakes! This 3 year old became the first stakes winner for his multiple graded stakes winning dam, St. John’s River.

06/14/2024

Feds Plot and Alfredo patiently waiting to train at Churchill.

06/11/2024

06/01/2024

Last night Nice as Pie put in a huge effort to go from last to almost winning the Penn Oaks! She just ended up missing out on the win in a photo finish, but showed a lot of heart stretching out to two turns for the first time. This 3 year old filly is already 2x stakes winner on the synthetic

05/27/2024

Purse Thief having a bad hair day.

05/25/2024

Ponce de Leon seemed to relish the surface change to the tapeta, easily winning a MSW at Woodbine to give Danner Racing their first win of the meet there! Fun fact: Ponce de Leon is a half brother to another recent Danner Racing winner, Welaka!

05/24/2024

Another successful day ar Indiana! Otago didn’t mind the softer turf to add an allowance win to his resume.

05/22/2024

Great video about another one of Danner Racing’s owners, Steve and Denise Smith of Elements Racing! Multiple stakes winner Danse Macabre is one of the horses they currently have in training

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/277024/beyond-the-headlines-steve-and-denise-smith?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1qoRldhC-WfUBI6DHzTpmmzxfr8AFlnwdhcZ9pToTl2DOHmKKzaaQx51Q_aem_AbZKqyuvpm0jzNXtf4cFmC7bC6izz8Vu-CiuTjHgrEkZTgMIxoRvZT0pFpgGVnZuu3sq21LMlpk2yKtNX-6N1gRb

Speaking from their new farm in Midway, Ky., Steve and Denise Smith tell us about their journey to the Thoroughbred industry including moving to the bluegrass, growing their breeding and racing operation, and what they look forward to the most.

05/18/2024

Poultice and 2 year olds…

05/17/2024

Blame the Gelato getting a kiss from Xena.

05/14/2024

Nice as Pie enjoying the sun on her back.

05/06/2024

Smokin’ Jay made it look easy today, going to the lead right away to win a 5f allowance race at Indiana! This win was the 6th of his career!

05/05/2024

While everyone was waiting for the Derby to run yesterday, another 3 year old easily broke his maiden for Danner Racing! Frank Jr won yesterday on the turf at Gulfstream for owner and breeder Dede McGehee. Later in the card, Zo Lee ran 3rd in the Honey Ryder Stakes!

04/30/2024

Danse Macabre enjoying some time in the round pen today. All the horses rotate through getting some time in the round pen, giving them time to roll and stretch their legs

04/26/2024

Run Carson overcame a rough start and some traffic to get up for the win in just his first start! This 3 year old c**t won a MSW today at Gulfstream Park. An exercise rider favorite at the barn, he is very easy to be around and it is said that “anyone can ride him” because he is so laidback.

04/12/2024

Great article on Welaka’s owner, Dede McGehee! She is also the owner/ breeder of Gladys, Nice as Pie, Psychedelic and Viburnum, to name a few.

BH Interview: Dede McGehee of Heaven Tree

04/11/2024

Welaka made it look easy in the slop, getting the 2nd win of his career today at Keeneland by over 6 lengths! His owner and breeder, Dede McGehee, was present for the win. His dam, St. John’s River, also owned and bred by Dede, nearly won the Kentucky Oaks in 2011!

04/07/2024

Hidden Vase made it look easy today, breaking her maiden by open lengths in a 5f sprint! This 3 year old Bucchero filly went to the lead right away and never looked back.

03/31/2024

Nice as Pie wins another stake! She made it look easy last night, winning the Serena Song by 6 lengths at Turfway, taking her record for the meet to 4-4, making her the leader in wins!

03/18/2024

Cheesin’

03/14/2024

03/14/2024

Why do I buy cat beds?

03/13/2024

Voice From Above showed a lot of heart to get her nose in front today to win two in a row! It was also her first time facing winners. Fun fact: she is a half sister to Grade I winner Carrick!

03/08/2024

Tivali dominated last night at Turfway to easily win her 2nd start for Danner Racing and break her maiden!

03/04/2024

Rough and Rowdy broke his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday! His owner flew down just for the race, and was rewarded with a trip to the winner circle