Dreamin of Victory fresh for return

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Dreamin of Victory, unraced since finishing fourth in the Albany Stakes at Saratoga, returns for new connections and heads a field of nine New York-breds in Friday's eighth race, a $46,000 second-level allowance with an optional claiming price of $30,000.

Dreamin of Victory drew the advantageous inside post in the 1 1/8-mile route and returns to Aqueduct's main track for the first time since he won a seven-furlong maiden race by nearly 10 lengths in April. Three starts later, Dreamin of Victory stretched out to 1 1/8 miles on turf and scored an off-the-pace win in a first-level allowance at Saratoga. In his next and most recent start, on Aug. 23, he ran evenly in the Albany for then-owner/trainer Michael Lauer, but was compromised by a slow pace dictated by front-running winner Indian Hawke.

Dreamin of Victory was purchased after the Albany by Saul and Max Kupferberg and was turned over to John Parisella.

"He's kind of done everything right," said Parisella. "He worked a half in 49 seconds [Wednesday], but he did it under wraps. I'm hoping he's a horse to build on."

Other contenders include Couth, who was freshened after setting a slow pace and wiring a turf allowance at Belmont Park on Sept. 29; Notadroptodrink, who stretches out in his third start back from a layoff; Drizzly, who makes his second start off a claim by Tony Dutrow; and Stellianos, who looks to be gearing up for a return to the inner-dirt track, where he has a 9-for-25 record as opposed to a 2-for-37 record on all other surfaces.

Silver Train works for Cigar Mile

Silver Train worked six furlongs in 1:13.10 over a "good" Aqueduct main track Wednesday in preparation for a start in the Cigar Mile on Nov. 25. He finished last of five in the Oct. 7 Vosburgh in his most recent start.

"He went really good. I was happy with his breeze," said trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. "He trained so good going into his last race, I don't know what to expect. I don't much like the idea of having to run against Discreet Cat. I don't see how anyone could."

The date for Discreet Cat's final Cigar Mile work is dependent on the weather, said Rick Mettee, Godolphin Stable's New York trainer.

"Right now he could work anytime between Friday and Monday," he said. "Rain is forecast for [Thursday] night, so we'll see what happens and go from there. He's gotten bigger and stronger since the Jerome. The Cigar Mile will be a good test for him."