Still Dreaming, half to Nyquist, shortens up for breakthrough win

West Point Thoroughbreds and Chris Larsen’s 3-year-old Still Dreaming, a half-brother of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, came with a steady drive on the far outside and got his nose down on the wire to capture Saturday’s featured fifth race at Laurel Park.

Getting a class and distance break after finishing off the board in back-to-back stakes, Still Dreaming ran seven furlongs in 1:24.04 over a fast main track under 2018 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice Weston Hamilton to edge Bozzini in a head-bob. Long shot pacesetter Pretty Good Year held third, with 6-5 favorite Sunman a non-threatening fifth after acting up in the starting gate.

It was the first win for the Graham Motion-trained Still Dreaming since the chestnut Flatter colt out of the Forestry mare Seeking Gabrielle broke his maiden Jan. 1. From there, he was seventh in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs and most recently fifth in the Private Terms March 16 at Laurel.

Still Dreaming had not sprinted since going six furlongs in his career debut at Laurel last November. After consulting with racing manager Erin Birkenhauer, the daughter of West Point founder and CEO Terry Finley, they decided to take a step back after three straight starts at a mile or more.

“To be honest, I’ve really liked this horse. I know I threw him into some tough spots, but that’s the kind of horse I thought he was,” Motion said. “After he was disappointing last time, Erin and I talked about it and we just thought that maybe shortening him up might be the key. This race was a good opportunity to do that, and it worked out. I give her credit for coming up with the idea.”

Motion was unsure where Still Dreaming where or when Still Dreaming would run back, but hinted it would remain at shorter distances.

“I think it would probably make sense to keep him shorter but it’s a little limited after you leave here. At Pimlico you have to go three-quarters,” he said. “I don’t see him as a three-quarter-type horse. I think he’s probably a seven-eighths to a one-turn mile horse. But, he’s a lovely horse and I’m not going to be in a big hurry to run him back after this race.”