Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
by Sarah Mace
Dreamsgonewild, a 6-year-old gelded son of top New York sire Freud, won his second turf sprint stakes on Sunday afternoon, besting nine rivals in the (about) 5 1/2-furlong $62,400 John McSorley Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Following the scratch of several speedsters, Dreamsgonewild (9-2) and jockey Trevor McCarthy wasted no time in executing owner/trainer Bruce Alexander’s strategy, breaking alertly and getting situated forwardly where they hooked up with an eager El Botas (18-1) to their outside.
Alexander said, “The couple of scratches in there kind of dictated what we were going to do. Trevor got him out of the gate good and rode him perfectly.”
Vying with the leader through the far turn, Dreamsgonewild took command at the top of the lane and opened up a two-plus length lead. Scout’s Honor put in an energetic late bid in the middle of the track, but the blaze-faced dark bay had enough left in the tank to hold off the potential challenger, securing the victory by one length in a final time of 1:02.24. [VIDEO]
Ryan Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Winning jockey Trevor McCarthy said, “He broke great and was good going to the lead even though he was tested to his outside.”
Added McCarthy, “He handles pressure really well. That’s the great thing about him. Once we got to the straightaway, he had a good amount left in him to close hard.”
Alexander said, “I purchased this horse as a yearling. He’s really good.” Alexander signed a sales ticket for Dreamsgonewild for $22,000 at the 2010 OBS select yearling sale.
Now a two-time stakes winner, having also defeated nine rivals, including the legendary Ben’s Cat, in the six-furlong Laurel Dash in his stakes debut last September 27, Dreamsgonewild sports a record of eight wins, four seconds and three thirds. His earnings bankroll stands at a robust $363,688.
Bred by Ed and Diane Gregory’s Carapan Farm LLC, Dreamsgonewild is the first black type winner out of Twin Stroller, a winning Ontario-bred daughter of Strolling Along. Twin Stroller has been a solid producer since being purchased by Carapan for just $5,500 at the OBS Fall mixed sale in 2001, producing no fewer than five winners from five foals to start. The mare’s first foal, Island Reversal (Tactical Advantage) is also a six-figure earner. A 4-year-old full brother to Dreamsgonewild named Piranha Pete has not yet started.
