SAMBA Dancer, a 10-1 betting option, came running on to upset in the $462,000 CTL Claiming Series #1 – Race #4 feature by 1 1/4 lengths at Caymans Park yesterday.

Well handled throughout the event by the 4.0kg claiming apprentice Robert Halledeen, Samba Dancer progressed from second to last to run 1,400 metres in 1:29.2 to register his third win from his last four starts for the season in the 10-horse field for the claiming group $250,000 – $210,000 three-year-olds and upward who has started for claiming tag of $250,000 or less since December 28 last year.

Samba Dancer was only a neck away in her other race to make it four from four in his seven starts for the season overall.

Trained by Denis Lee for owner Faye Lee, Samba Dancer was waited on as the 3/5 favourite Latin King and 2-1 second favourite La’s Dancer took the field along at a brisk 24.3, 48.2 by1:14.3 for the first 1,200 metres during which time Samba Dancer progressed to work himself into a challenging position after turning for home.

After setting down for the stretch run, Latin King, ridden by Omar Walker, dismissed his tormentor La’s Dancer, ridden by Oneil Mullings, and set alight for home along the running rails.

Meantime Halledeen, who was gaining on the leaders with every stride in the stretch and in the final 100 metres, exploded on the outside with a well timed run to collar the leader inside the final 50 metres of the race.

Overtaking the leader the apprentice then pushed out his mount to hold 1 3/4 length advantage at the finish line.

Special Cat an 8-1 bet ridden by Paul Francis who was never far away behind the early leaders past a tiring La’s Dancer for third money with La’s Dancer ridden by Oneil Mullings finishing back in fourth.