by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Editor

Columbus, OH — Rodney Mitchell Inc. and Teague Inc.’s Danae, who won two major trotting stakes for 3-year-old fillies in August, was named Horse of the Month by the United States Trotting Association.

Lisa Photo

Hambletonian Oaks champion Danae has been named Horse of the Month by the USTA.

The Andover Hall miss, out of the Valley Victory mare Deanella Hanover, has banked $464,135 this year on the strength of four in-the-money finishes in six trips to the post. Trained by co-owner George Teague, Jr., Danae was driven to her August triumphs by Tim Tetrick and Ryan Anderson.

Danae opened up her month on August 4 in the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks final at The Meadowlands. Starting from post position six, she got away eighth at the opening quarter in :27.3, tipped off the rail to eighth on the outside at the :56.1 half, and was three-wide in eighth at the 1:25 three-quarter pole. Danae moved up to fourth at the top of the stretch and then powered past the leaders for a 1:54.2 score with Tetrick in the bike. She stopped Resortful by 1-1/2 lengths, with Sing Me To Sleep third.

Three weeks later, Danae traveled west to Balmoral Park for the $150,000 American-National on August 25. With Ryan Anderson up, the brown mare got away third on the outside during an opening panel of :29.2. She briefly took over the lead heading down the backstretch, but then settled into the pocket as Possess The Magic put up middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:27. Turning for home, Danae again rallied for a 1-1/4 length score over Possess The Magic in a time of 1:55.3. Wishful Me was third.