Dream Run gets blinkers

ELMONT, N.Y. - Graded stakes winner Dream Run is one of seven male sprinters entered in a tough allowance feature at Belmont Park Friday.

The seven-furlong race, which has a $54,000 purse, will be run as the eighth race on the twilight card and has an approximate post of 6:36 p.m.

Paul McGee trained Dream Run when he won the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap last year. The horse makes his first start for trainer Michael Gorham Friday.

After finishing last in the Grade 2 General George at Laurel Park Feb. 22, Dream Run was sent to the farm for a rest. About six weeks ago, Dream Run's owner, John D. Murphy Sr., sent the 5-year-old to Gorham to train.

Dream Run, who will race with blinkers on, has worked twice for Gorham at Delaware Park.

"I don't know a whole lot about him, but I do know he is nice horse," Gorham said. "I worked him with and without blinkers, and he worked much better with blinkers."

If Dream Run, who will be ridden by John Velazquez, regains the form he held early last year, he figures in the mix.

The horse to beat, if he starts, is Well Fancied who is a coupled entry with Aggadan. Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. named Edgar Prado on both Well Fancied and Aggadan, so only one will be permitted to start.

Well Fancied, a horse for the course, had the misfortune of facing strong competition in each of his allowance races this year. In April, Well Fancied, a New York-bred, was beaten by multiple stakes winner Say Florida Sandy. On May 10, Well Fancied lost to Shake You Down, who has since won two graded stakes races. In Well Fancied's last start at Belmont on May 24, he finished second to True Direction, who nearly equaled the track record for six furlongs.

Wild Summer, making his first start since December, ran two huge races in sprints at Saratoga last year. The 5-year-old son of Wild Again can handle an off track, which appears likely.

Free of Love, who has turned in several disappointing performances, drops back to a sprint after a long string of losses in route races. He hasn't won a race since the Grade 3 Westchester here 13 months ago.

In the absence of any true speed horses, Ginzano could be the pacesetter. Saint Appeal has four wins at the distance, but meets tougher company here than he has been facing.