Dream Tree remains undefeated in Prioress Stakes at Saratoga
The seven-month
layoff was no problem for Dream Tree,
who won the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress Stakes Sunday
at Saratoga to remain unbeaten in five starts.
“She gave me goosebumps to be honest,” said jockey Mike Smith. “I had
never ridden her in the afternoon. I was fortunate enough to work her one
morning, so I knew she was really talented, but I didn't realize she was this
talented.”
Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Dream Tree looked like a top Kentucky Oaks contender this spring until trainer Bob Baffert pulled her off the trail, unhappy with her training. She ended her 2-year-old season by winning the Grade 1 Starlet and began her sophomore season with a victory in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes.
The Prioress was Dream Tree’s
first start outside of Southern California. Mia Mischief was the fastest out of
the gate and grabbed the lead over Cathedral Reader. Dream Tree took a moment
to find her footing out of the gate, even getting close to Moonshine Memories
as she tried to regain her balance, but charged toward the pacesetter once Smith
straightened her out.
Flanked by Dream Tree, Mia Mischief ran the first quarter-mile in 22.30 before hitting
the half-mile in 44.93. Behind Cathedral Reader came Sower, Win the War, Classy
Act and Purrfect Miss. Moonshine Memories got going last and trailed the field.
Mia Mischief and Dream Tree turned for home together, but the pacesetter could
not keep up with the West Coast shipper. Dream Tree pulled away to win by 4 ¼ lengths,
completing the six furlongs in 1:09.50.
“She showed last year that
she could win going short, going long,” Baffert said. “She’s extremely fast.
Turning for home, I thought, ‘Man, I think she’s ready.’ They were going pretty
fast. I think Mike was pretty impressed with her. Sometimes it works out and
sometimes, it leaves you scratching your head. I’m just really glad it worked out.”
Mia Mischief held for second
while Moonshine Memories circled the field, moved toward the rail and just
missed Mia Mischief by a head. Sower, Cathedral Reader, Purrfect Miss, Classy
Act and Win the War completed the order of finish. Bronx Beauty and Dream
Pauline were scratched.
Baffert doesn’t have any plans yet for Dream Tree, other than getting her back
to California and seeing how she comes out of the race.
“I’m just glad she shipped
well and is still undefeated,” said the Hall of Fame trainer. “That freshening
really helped her. She’s really matured a lot. She showed today how good she
really is. It’s pretty exciting.”