Eddie’s New Dream catches Leggs Galore in California Distaff Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. - Hillside stakes at Santa Anita for California-bred fillies and mares have been the highlight of 2022 for Eddie’s New Dream. In collecting two stakes wins on the unique course, Eddie’s New Dream has played the role of upsetter each time.

In March, 3-1 Eddie’s New Dream edged 4-5 Becca Taylor by a nose in the $101,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

On Saturday, Eddie’s New Dream ($7.20) caught 2-5 favorite Leggs Galore in the final sixteenth of the California Distaff Handicap, and won by a half-length over that heavily favored rival. Eddie’s New Dream was timed in 1:13.11 in the hillside turf sprint and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89, equaling her career best.

Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Eddie’s New Dream stalked Leggs Galore through early fractions of 22.71 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.87 for a half-mile, always racing within two lengths of the favorite.

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Kleen Karma (10-1) finished third, followed by Rose Dawson and Harper’s Gallop in the small field.

The hillside stakes wins are the only two victories in eight starts this year for Eddie’s New Dream, who races for owners and breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam and trainer Ben Cecil.

“She’s made my year,” Cecil said. “She’s tough. She shows up every time.”

A 4-year-old filly by Square Eddie, Eddie’s New Dream has won 6 of 19 starts and earned $485,600. This year, Eddie’s New Dream has been second or third in three other stakes, including a second in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in May.

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