Fun to Dream named California-bred Horse of the Year

Fun to Dream, the winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita in December, was honored on Monday as the California-bred Horse of the Year in a dinner ceremony hosted by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Fun to Dream, who races for Jill Baffert and Conne Pageler, is off to a fine start this year, having won her 2023 debut in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes at seven furlongs for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Feb. 4. Fun to Dream, a 4-year-old filly by Arrogate, is entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

She was also honored in two other categories for statebreds - outstanding 3-year-old filly and champion sprinter of 2022. Fun to Dream was bred by Pageler and trainer Bob Baffert, who has the filly in his stable.

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In other categories, Giver Not a Taker was recognized as champion 2-year-old male, while Sell the Dream was champion 2-year-old filly.

Slow Down Andy, who won two stakes in 2022, including the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, was voted champion 3-year-old male and was a finalist for Horse of the Year. The Chosen Vron, a three-time stakes winner against statebreds, was named champion older male and champion turf horse, and was the third finalist for Horse of the Year.

Becca Taylor was named champion older female.

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