Dream Tree bests Midnight Bisou in Desi Arnaz Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – The stakes were higher than in their debut last month at Santa Anita but the result was the same on Saturday at Del Mar for Dream Tree and Midnight Bisou, as Dream Tree again nosed out her budding arch-rival, this time in the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

The two fillies first met in their debuts going six furlongs on Oct. 27, with Dream Tree holding on to win by a nose. It was a different track and a different distance on Saturday, but again Dream Tree ($4), the favorite, just did last after opening a daylight lead at midstretch.

Dream Tree had a perfect trip in the seven-furlong race under Drayden Van Dyke. After starting from the outside in the five-horse field, Dream Tree stalked the early leader, Secret Spice, surged to the front entering the lane, but barely held on as Midnight Bisou finished fast.

Because of what happened first time out, the blinkers Dream Tree wore that day were removed for the Arnaz. Van Dyke said Dream Tree relaxed better the first part of the race this time, but again went to idling when she hit the top.

“I definitely think there’s more there,” Van Dyke said. “She’s talented. “She’s nice. She’s coming along.”

Dream Tree was timed in 1:23.69 for seven furlongs on the fast main track.

Midnight Bisou was an unlucky loser. She was bumped hard at the start by Ms Bad Behavior and trailed for more than half the race before finishing best to just miss.

She finished 5 1/4 lengths clear of third-place Secret Spice, then came Ms Bad Behavior and Smiling Tigress.

Steph Being Steph was scratched Saturday morning.

Bob Baffert trains Dream Tree, a daughter of Uncle Mo who was purchased earlier this year at auction for $750,000 and is owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III.