Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Live in the Dream has the speed to lead
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ARCADIA, Calif. – On a rainy Tuesday in April, Live In The Dream won his 2023 turf debut in a five-furlong handicap at tiny Pontefract Racecourse in Northern England.
Four months later, and about 30 miles to the northeast, Live In The Dream was the shock winner of the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse, earning a fees-paid berth to Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
Live In The Dream is trainer Adam West’s first starter in the United States.
“This is a fairy tale,” West said over the weekend.
Live In The Dream, whose quickness has led to six wins in 19 career starts, will be a danger from the front in the BC Turf Sprint at five furlongs. The gelding has been in the United States for more than a month and finished fourth by 3 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 7 at Keeneland, leading with less than a furlong remaining.
West said Live In The Dream will benefit from the start on a fitness basis.
“He flew a little bit tubby,” West said.
Live In The Dream, who races for Steve and Jolene De’Lemos, has had one international trip in his career, finishing fourth by a length in the minor Prix du Cercle at five furlongs on soft turf Aug. 6 at Deauville.
In the $672,500 Nunthorpe on good-to-firm turf, Live In The Dream (28-1) won by a length over Highfield Princess, who later won the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp in Paris on Oct. 1.
The Keeneland race gave Live In the Dream vital experience on an American layout, which should help in a hectic race Saturday.
“He can handle the bend,” West said. “I hope Santa Anita will suit him.”
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