Dream Tree impresses with Las Virgenes triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. - The ascent of Dream Tree in the nation’s 3-year-old filly division continued Sunday with a convincing win in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita.

The easy winner of the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos in December in her final start at 2, Dream Tree was equally impressive in the $200,345 Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile, closing from third in a field of six to win by 3 3/4 lengths over 16-1 Exuberance.

“We’ve gotten her to relax in the morning and she finished well,” jockey Drayden Van Dyke said. “What else can you ask for?”

Undefeated in four starts, Dream Tree ($2.60) was timed in 1:39.45 on a track that played slow through the weekend.

Van Dyke had Dream Tree in a handy position throughout the Las Virgenes. Dream Tree stalked pacesetter Thirteen Squared before moving closer to the front on the turn. Dream Tree took the lead in early stretch and led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining.

“She was there for me when I asked her,” Van Dyke said. “She put me in a great spot.”

Exuberance, fourth in the Starlet, closed from fifth to finish a half-length in front of Steph Being Steph, a 6-1 shot who was started at a mile for the first time in the Las Virgenes.

Thirteen Squared was fourth, followed by She’s No Drama and Holy Diver.

Dream Tree and Thirteen Squared are trained by Bob Baffert.

“I was hoping to finish 1-2,” Baffert said. “It was a little disappointing.”

Dream Tree has earned $390,000 from her four wins. She won her first two races by a nose over Midnight Bisou – a maiden race here Oct. 27 and the Desi Arnaz Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 18. Midnight Bisou later won the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs over Steph Being Steph here Jan. 7.

Dream Tree, by Uncle Mo, is owned by the Phoenix Thoroughbreds partnership and was purchased for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton March Sale of 2-year-olds in-training last year.

Baffert has the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 4 as a long-range goal for Dream Tree, with a likely start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 7 in the interim.

“We’ve got a lot of options,” he said. “I was happy with her. I like the way she relaxed.”