Bruce's Dream nails longshot at wire in California Dreamin'

DEL MAR, Calif. - Bruce's Dream closed resolutely in the stretch and just did get up in the final jump to beat 19-1 shot Colgan's Chip in a thrilling edition of the $100,000 California Dreamin' Handicap for California-bred older turf horses on Sunday at Del Mar.

Bruce's Dream ($5.80), the second choice, prevailed by a head after closing from fifth in the six-horse field. Colgan's Chip finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Cayambe. Bold Chieftain, the 6-5 favorite, trailed throughout. His trainer, William Morey Jr., said before the race that Bold Chieftain would be retired if he ran poorly. Bold Chieftain, 7, won 17 times in 38 starts and earned more than $1.5 million.

The win for Bruce's Dream was his fifth in six starts, but was his first stakes win and his first race around two turns. Joe Talamo was aboard for trainer Mike Puype. Bruce's Dream, a gelding by Atticus, was bred and is owned by Bruce Corwin.

"He has a propensity to just want to win," Puype said. "He ran them down from a tough spot."

Bruce's Dream completed 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.96.

Puype said he had yet to plan on where Bruce's Dream would run next.