Dakota Candy has look of a good one

STICKNEY, Ill. – It’s fair to say that vast numbers of hot, young prospects have so far not emerged during the eight racing days at Hawthorne’s winter-spring meet, cards mainly populated by lower-end maidens and claimers. But a 3-year-old gelding named Dakota Candy caught the eye while debuting for trainer Joel Berndt on April 1. Breaking from the rail, Dakota Candy made the lead, was headed partway around the turn of the 5 1/2-furlong maiden race, but quickly got back on terms and drew away to win by more than nine lengths, earning a 74 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I don’t think he beat much, but he did it the right way,” said Berndt.

Dakota Candy is an Illinois-bred in name only, really, a son of the promising young stallion Twirling Candy and out of a mare by the California sire Benchmark. He obviously has speed but is built more like a route horse, and Berndt plans to stretch him out to seven furlongs during opening week of the Arlington meet next month in a first-level allowance.

And you know how it goes with trainers – there’s always another young horse in the barn better than the one who looked good racing. In this case, that horse is Hay Dakota, a Haynesfield colt who, Berndt said, has regularly trounced Dakota Candy in morning work but was eighth while debuting at Delta Downs and third here in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint March 26.

“I think he might just be a two-turn horse,” Berndt said.