Dreamtime in Sprint Championship

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Dream Run parlayed a dream trip into the biggest win of his career, a 1 1/2-length victory over 28-1 Binthebest in Saturday's $200,000 Gulfstream Park . Hook and Ladder, the even-money favorite, stopped badly and was eased to the wire in defense of his title in the stakes.

Dream Run rated off the early pace of Dancing Missile, rallied four wide to overtake the tiring leader in midstretch, and gradually edged clear. Binthebest angled wide into the stretch and outfinished Burning Roma by a neck to be second. Dancing Missile, Groomstick Stock's, Twilight Road, Fappie's Notebook, and Hook and Ladder rounded out the order of finish.

Dream Run paid $10.40 after covering seven furlongs in 1:22.30 over a fast track. The victory was his fourth in five lifetime starts at the distance.

"Obviously seven furlongs is a good distance for him," said Paul McGee, who trains Dream Run for owner James Murphy. "He's also never run a bad race over this track."

Dream Run has won three of his six starts at Gulfstream over the past two seasons. The only time he was worse than second here came in the 2001 Florida Derby when he finished fourth behind Monarchos.

"He ran big in the Florida Derby and has never really run a bad race going long, although he's probably a better come-from-behind sprinter," said McGee. "He's been a quality and very versatile horse all along."

McGee said he will consider both the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup at Keeneland or Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, both at seven furlongs, for Dream Run's next start.

Jockey John Velazquez said he does not understand what happened to his mount, Hook and Ladder, who had won all four of his previous starts at Gulfstream.

"He warmed up well and was in perfect position down the backstretch, but just didn't run his race today," said Velazquez. "He just didn't fire. I don't know why. He came back good."