Dream Rush holds on in Minaret

Dream Rush kept her record at Tampa Bay Downs perfect when she opened a comfortable lead a furlong out, then had enough left to turn back a furious late charge by Rising Fever to post a neck win in the $65,000 Minaret Stakes.

Under a well-judged ride by Daniel Centeno, Dream Rush, who won an allowance sprint here in her final start of 2008, covered the six furlongs in a solid 1:10.73 and returned $3.80 as the choice of the field of nine fillies and mares. Rising Fever, who was making her U.S. debut after winning 6 of 7 starts in Brazil, was impressive in defeat, coming from last under Luis Gonzalez. She finished three-quarters of a length to the good of Star Operator, with early leader Salty Wave finishing fourth.

The win was the first in a stakes for Dream Rush since the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga in August 2007. Overall, she has won 8 of 15 starts. She is trained by William Phipps.

"She's coming back and we're just trying to build some confidence and find some good spots for her," Phipps said.