Bode's Dream all the way in House Party Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Bode’s Dream broke like a shot and never looked back, splashing to an easy 2 3/4-length victory over Wildcat Kate in the six-furlong House Party Stakes, the first of six 2-year-old stakes on Saturday’s Juvenile Showcase card at Gulfstream Park.

Racing over a sloppy track, Bode’s Dream quickly sped to the front under jockey John Velazquez, disposed of Wildcat Kate into the stretch and was never seriously menaced thereafter. Wildcat Kate maintained a safe 1 1/4-length advantage over Brahms Cat to be second.

Yes I’ll Go, the even-money favorite, did not break sharply from the rail but recovered to race within striking distance for a half-mile before weakening steadily, finishing fifth in the field of eight fillies.

The win was the third in as many starts for Bode’s Dream, a daughter of Bodemeister who had not started since winning the Astoria at Belmont Park on June 9. Trained by Todd Pletcher for St. Elias Stable, Bode’s Dream completed the distance in 1:11.16 and paid $7.

“She’s been training well, but it’s been a while since she ran, so we were hoping we had her ready to go off the layoff,” said Pletcher. “The one thing she has is exceptional gate speed. She caught a flyer, and it was pretty straightforward after that. It looked like one of those races where there was a lot of speed and, ideally, you’d like to make the lead the right way. And when she broke the way she did, it worked out that way.”

Pletcher said the Grade 3 Old Hat at seven furlongs would likely be next for Bode’s Dream.