Dream Tree getting her year started in Las Flores

ARCADIA, Calif. – Since her last win, in the Grade 2 Prioress Stakes at Saratoga last September, Dream Tree has been withdrawn from the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint because of a breathing problem, withdrawn from an auction last fall, and finished last of eight in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

All of that overshadowed a brilliant start to her career, when she won her first five starts, including four stakes.

On Sunday at Santa Anita, Dream Tree will have her 2019 debut in the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs. The $100,000 Las Flores can show if Dream Tree has returned to top form.

“I think she’s back to her old self,” trainer Bob Baffert said on Friday.

Dream Tree, who races for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, will need a sharp performance. The Las Flores may be low in stature as a graded stakes, but it has drawn a very good field of 10, including the graded stakes winners Spectator and True Royalty, the stakes winners Emboldened and Show It N Moe It, and the stakes-placed Lady Suebee.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dream Tree, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 42-100-82

◗ Dream Tree was pre-entered for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint but was withdrawn because of concern over her breathing.

“She had an entrapped epiglottis,” Baffert said. “It was minor. I had to give her time off.”

The setback did not concern bettors a couple months later. They made Dream Tree the 7-10 favorite in the La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs. Dream Tree was with the leaders to the turn but then faded rapidly.

“Things didn’t go right,” Baffert said. “She didn’t fire that day.”

◗ Dream Tree, to be ridden by Mike Smith, tends to run near the front but could face a challenge for the lead from Moon Kitty or Lady Suebee. Baffert said the Las Flores is a prep for richer races this spring and summer.

“This will set her up to go back East,” he said.

Emboldened, by Elusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 88-85-77

◗ Trained by Baffert, Emboldened closed from seventh to finish third in the La Brea Stakes, 1 1/4 lengths behind winner Spiced Perfection. Baffert said he did not intend for Emboldened to have such a lengthy layoff between starts, and that a suitable allowance race did not draw sufficient entries.

“She’ll run well also,” he said.

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Lady Suebee, by First Defence
Last 3 Beyers: 85-81-82

◗ Lady Suebee was a well-beaten second in the Wishing Well Stakes at five furlongs on turf Feb. 16 and ran well on dirt in her two starts before that.

“She’s one of the top fillies in there, in my handicapping,” trainer John Sadler said. “I think she is a little better on dirt than grass.”

Spectator, by Jimmy Creed
Last 3 Beyers: 49-82-84

◗ Spectator won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar in 2017, but was later sidelined by injury. Last year, she won an optional claimer but was winless in three subsequent starts, all stakes. ◗ The Las Flores will be Spectator’s first start since a last-place finish in the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga last August.

“She’s coming back the right way,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “Hopefully, she can have a good race I can build off of.

“She’s matured and is more relaxed. As a 2-year-old, she showed more speed. This is a starting point.”