Dancinginherdreams romps in Pocahontas

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dancinginherdreams confirmed the confidence her connections showed in her when romping to an easy victory Sunday in the Grade 2, $165,450 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Geared down for the final sixteenth-mile by jockey Julien Leparoux, Dancinginherdreams was winning for the second time in as many starts and will not race again until the Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park in February, said John T. Ward Jr., who trains the distinctive-looking gray filly for his main client, John Oxley. The Kentucky Oaks in May is the long-term goal, Ward said.

“We’re going to take care of the filly now that she’s shown that she could be able to compete with the best levels out there,” Oxley said. “She’s giving us something to look forward to.”

Dancinginherdreams raced several lengths off the early pace in the one-mile Pocahontas, before moving between rivals and then getting to the rail for the stretch drive. The filly quickly got to the front and sped clear with an impressive burst in midstretch before Leparoux began easing up. She finished in 1:38.59 over a fast track and returned $4 as favorite in a field of seven 2-year-old fillies. Eden Star, a 25-1 shot, rallied to be second, 5 1/4 lengths behind the winner and a half-length before Missyoulikecrazy.

The Pocahontas was the richest race on an 11-race “Stars of Tomorrow” program that opened the 21-day Churchill fall meet.

Dancinginherdreams, by Tapit, was coming off a six-furlong maiden victory at Keeneland in her debut three weeks beforehand.

Oxley and Ward won the 1995 Oaks with Gal In a Ruckus and the 2001 Kentucky Derby with Monarchos.

Earlier Sunday, Astrology was a convincing winner in the male counterpart to the Pocahontas, the Grade 3, $122,300 Iroquois Stakes. With Garrett Gomez riding, the colt tracked the early pace, drew clear, then held Ribo Bobo safe by 2 3/4 lengths. He finished the one-mile distance in 1:38.43.

Astrology, an A.P. Indy colt owned by Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton, returned $4.60 as favorite in a field of eight.

Astrology was the third winner of the “Stars” card for trainer Steve Asmussen. His other winners, both in maiden races, were a highly impressive first-timing filly, Hailey d’Oro ($4), and City Cool ($7.20), an 8 1/2-length winner in his third start.

A second Stars program is set for Nov. 27.