Dreaming of Drew leads wire to wire in Belle Mahone Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Dreaming of Drew stole the show in Sunday’s $120,800 Belle Mahone Stakes at Woodbine, leading all the way under runaway leading rider Kazushi Kimura.
Dreaming of Drew was bet down to 2-1 favoritism at post time for the 1 1/16-mile route for fillies and mares. She darted out to the lead from post 4 and proceeded to set soft fractions, with Il Malocchio tracking her all the way.
Dreaming of Drew opened up a clear lead entering the stretch and never looked back, scoring by 2 3/4 lengths, in a posted final time of 1:44.08.
Il Malocchio held on for second and reigning Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Munnyfor Ro closed inside for third. She was followed by Alydiva, Skygaze, Broadway Lady, November Fog, Barkin, Silent Causeway and Stand for the Flag.
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Dreaming of Drew won the 2020 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at 2, but the daughter of the late Speightster missed all of last year due to injury. She won her comeback here April 16 in the Long Branch Stakes and then bounced three weeks later when third in the Grade 3 Whimsical. Going from those sprints to a two-turn distance enabled her to work out a cozy forward trip on Sunday.
“I told (Kimura) to just let her be comfortable,” winning trainer Barbara Minshall said. “I don’t see a lot of speed in here. I thought (Skygaze) might show more speed. I said if no one goes, you just do what you want to do. She can wire this group.
“It’s nice to get them back to where you thought they were going to continue on from. She’s a very good filly. She trains well. I’m really fortunate to have her back in this shape.”
Dreaming of Drew ($6.20) earned $72,000 for the partnership of Hoolie Racing Stable and Madaket Stables.