Champion sprinter Phil's Dream makes 2014 debut

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Phil’s Dream, Canada’s reigning champion sprinter, returns to action Sunday at Woodbine in a $74,500 allowance for Ontario-sired runners going 5 1/2 furlongs, which serves as the prep for the May 19 New Providence Stakes.

Phil’s Dream put together a spectacular 2013 campaign, which was orchestrated by owner-trainer Paul Buttigieg. He won seven of 10 starts, including three stakes, and was third in the Sovereign Award voting for the 2013 Canadian Horse of the Year.

The highlight of Phil’s Dream’s dream season was a decisive victory in the Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes on turf, but he seems equally adept on that surface or Polytrack, over which he’s a six-time winner in 12 starts.

Phil’s Dream wintered in Ontario after his final 2013 outing Nov. 30 in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road Stakes. He rallied five wide from off a quick pace in the Kennedy Road to finish a close third behind Bear No Joke and Essence Hit Man.

“Speed was holding all week, and he was too far off the pace,” Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg loved Phil’s Dream’s five-furlong work on Monday, when the 6-year-old covered the distance in a sizzling 58.80, the fastest of 13 drills at the distance that day.

“He did it easy,” Buttigieg said. “The kid was just sitting on him all the way around. He galloped out in 1:11. I’m hoping that he’s better [than last year]. He’s sound. That’s the beautiful part about him.”

Justin Stein will break Phil’s Dream from the outside post 6. His presence led to no show wagering on the race.

Five others were entered in the feature, including the Ralph Biamonte-trained entry of Jenna’s Wabbit and Citius.

Jenna’s Wabbit is a huge 5-year-old with approximately $500,000 in career earnings. His only start last year was a seventh-place allowance finish in April, but he won two restricted stakes at 2 and took three more stakes at 3, using an aggressive speed style. He wintered in Ocala, Fla., but figures to need one or two races before getting back into the swing of things.

Citius, another classy gelding, evolved into a very productive $40,000 claimer last year.

Jade Dragon got the winter off after being claimed for $50,000 by trainer Don MacRae in December. He won the restricted Deputy Minister Stakes last July at 3, but failed to show much during the second half of the year.

Weather Bill wired $25,000 opposition here in his April 18 season opener. Trainer Denyse McClachrie claimed him for $25,000 in November.

Ratso Rizzo won two Ontario-sired allowances in the fall for trainer Pat Parente, who had a career year in 2013.