Dream Tree aims to rebound in Santa Anita's Las Flores Stakes
Richard Mandella’s Amuse, who stalked a fast pace and won like a filly with any kind of future in a 6 ½-furlong allowance on Dec. 30, looms dangerous with Drayden Van Dyke up for the first time.
Unbeaten in five starts, three of them graded stakes, this 4-year-old Uncle Mo filly was off as the 3-5 favorite in the La Brea, but she never seemed comfortable after breaking a bit slowly. Empty at the top of the lane, she checked in eighth and last, beaten 25 ½ lengths. Although she tasted defeat for the first time, Dream Tree has trained in sharp fashion for her comeback, evidenced by her last three works: a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.20 on March 19 (best of 66 at the distance), another bullet five eighths in 59.20 on March 26 (best of 32 at the distance) and another five furlongs in 1:00.40 on April 1 (fourth of 36 at the distance). With five wins from six starts, Dream Tree is easily the leading money earner in the field with $527,845.
A remarkable California-bred success story, she’s by Lovingier’s Grace Upon Grace and is out of his veteran producer, Robotica, by Ide. A big, rangy filly with unquestioned heart, 4-year-old Show It N Moe It comes off what Sherlock felt was her best-ever performance on Feb. 24, a three quarter length win in the state-bred Spring Fever Stakes going six furlongs. A Cal-bred 6 ½-furlong allowance winner two starts back Jan. 10, Show It N Moe It seeks her third straight win and first in graded company in the Las Flores. A big, rangy mare, she’s got a remarkable overall resume of 19: 6-4-4, with earnings of $435,604.
Off at 10-1 in the La Brea, she came up the rail late and finished third, beaten 1 ¼ lengths. A Godolphin homebred 4-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality, out of the Bernardini mare Al Andaleeb, she’s won two out of her four starts and will try to prove the La Brea finish was no fluke as she cuts back in distance a furlong.
LAS FLORES STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
Race 8 of 9 Approximate post time 7:30 p.m. ET
1. Amuse—Drayden Van Dyke—120
2. Spectator—Flavien Prat—120
3. Lady Suebee—Joel Rosario—120
4. True Royalty—Aaron Gryder—122
5. Phantom Proton—Mario Gutierrez—120
6. Danuska’s My Girl—Geovanni Franco—120
7. Dream Tree—Mike Smith—122
8. Emboldened—Joe Talamo—120
9. Show It N Moe It—Rafael Bejarano—120
10. Moon Kitty—Evin Roman—120