Dreamfyre survives inquiry, stays undefeated with Surfer Girl victory

ARCADIA, Calif. - Dreamfyre remained unbeaten in three starts after winning her turf debut in Sunday’s Grade 3 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita, an outcome that resulted in an objection and an inquiry but no change to the order of finish.

Dreamfyre finished a neck in front of Buttercream Babe after the two fillies made contact at least twice through the stretch. Dreamfyre appeared to drift out in the final furlong.

Stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui and Kim Sawyer decided unanimously not to change the order of finish. Jauregui is the brother of winning trainer O.J. Jauregui, who is based in Northern California. Luis Jauregui has frequently worked race meetings in Southern California in which O.J. Jauregui has had occasional runners.

Dreamfyre raced once at Del Mar during the summer. Luis Jauregui was a steward at that meeting. Stewards at California tracks are employed by the California Horse Racing Board.

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Dreamfyre raced once at Del Mar during the summer. Luis Jauregui was a steward at that meeting.

The stewards initiated an inquiry into the stretch run between Dreamfyre and Buttercream Babe. In addition, Ramon Vazquez, who rode Buttercream Babe, lodged an objection against Dreamfyre, alleging interference. Dreamfyre was ridden by Hector Berrios.

Dreamfyre ($5.80) was sent off favored in the $202,000 Surfer Girl Stakes and led or disputed the pace throughout, setting a slow pace of 23.55 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.59 for a half-mile.

Dreamfyre ran a mile on turf in 1:37.11 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 69.

The win may lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 3, O.J. Jauregui said.

Dreamfyre led by a half-length on the backstretch, and was headed by 5-1 Buttercream Babe on the turn. Dreamfyre retook the lead in early stretch and led by a half-length with a furlong remaining as the two fillies raced in close contact.

“There was a little bit of contact, but I always stayed in my lane,” Berrios told Santa Anita publicity. “They were just coming too close together. I didn’t think that interfered with the result.”

Vazquez told Daily Racing Form the contact cost him the race.

“He intimidated my filly,” Vazquez said of Berrios. “My filly was coming to pass here and she got bumped and switched leads.”

Flattery, the winner of the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on Sept. 9, closed from fifth in the stretch to finish third, her first loss in her third start. Flattery was beaten 1 1/2 lengths for second.

Where’s My Ring finished fourth, followed by Soho, Zona Verde, Angioletta, Putt for Dough and Sushi Sticks.

Dreamfyre, who races for Dan Eplin, has won three starts, all in stakes, and earned $285,000. She beat males in the Everett Nevin Futurity at the Alameda county fair at 5 1/2 furlongs in Pleasanton, Calif., on July 8 and the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 12.

The Surfer Girl Stakes was Dreamfyre’s debut at a mile.

“The question was the distance,” O.J. Jauregui said. “She ran good. She should get a lot out of this.”

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