Dreamfyre finds connection with Berrios
It took a few days last week for Northern California-based trainer O.J. Jauregui to find a rider for Dreamfyre in Saturday’s Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar.
A few phone calls and text messages to agents went unanswered, Jauregui said, before Hector Berrios was confirmed to ride Dreamfyre in the $200,000 race at six furlongs.
On Monday at Del Mar, Berrios was aboard Dreamfyre for the first time in a three-furlong workout in a rapid 35 seconds. The time was a bit quicker than Jauregui expected.
“I was hoping for 36,” he said. “We let her work a good three-eighths and he grabbed her a bit. We didn’t want her to gallop out too strong.
“Hector knows her. To me, that’s important.”
Jauregui has found a hot rider. Through Sunday, the 11th day of the Del Mar season, Berrios was second in the standings with 13 wins, trailing leader Juan Hernandez by two.
Dreamfyre was ridden by Francisco Duran when she won her debut in an 11-1 upset in the Everett Nevin Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs against males at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton July 9. Owned by Danny Eplin, Dreamfyre led throughout, pulling away from six rivals to win by 3 1/2 lengths.
Jauregui knows Dreamfyre has something to prove in the Sorrento Stakes against a tougher group of runners from Southern California. Berrios may provide a boost, he said.
“You come to Del Mar [after] you win a small stakes at the fair, you don’t get the credit,” he said. “As I watched her run that day, I was excited about her. Sounds like I found someone who is.”
The Sorrento will have a small field tha will include recent maiden winners Dua, trained by Bob Baffert, and Benedetta, trained by Simon Callaghan.
The Sorrento is one of three graded stakes at Del Mar on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s program includes the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Sunday’s main race is the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.