Hallowed Dreams to chase a million

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Hallowed Dreams, who improved her career record to a sensational 23 wins from 24 starts by capturing the Miller Lite Stakes at Lone Star Park on June 23, has a new goal: to earn $1 million.

She won't, however, get started on her new task in the near future. Trainer Lloyd Romero said he has no next-race plans for Hallowed Dreams because she recently had minor surgery to remove a growth on her girth line. She is recuperating at her home base of Evangeline Downs in Lafayette, La.

"She's doing good," said Romero. "We have to give her some time to heal, I figure four to six weeks. We can't put a saddle on her right now; the mole was on the girth line."

Romero said he set the $1 million goal for Hallowed Dreams last month, and that was the reason he shipped her out of her home state for the Miller Lite, which carried a purse of $75,000. The new goal means fans should be seeing more of Hallowed Dreams, a 4-year-old who has earned $662,944.

"She will probably run as a 5-year-old," said Romero. "She'll probably race in Louisiana most of the time, but maybe a little at Lone Star next year. We had a good experience there this year."

Hallowed Dreams won the $100,000 Valid Expectations at Lone Star on May 28, which was her first career start outside of Louisiana, then returned a month later to capture the track's Miller Lite.

Romero said the motivation to make Hallowed Dreams a millionaire is to add to her value as a broodmare. "I want to run her babies, but if we sell some, I think they'll bring more [if she's a millionaire]," said Romero, who owns Hallowed Dreams in partnership with Johnny Gaspard.

Hallowed Dreams is not the only Louisiana-bred chasing $1 million in earnings. Sarah Lane's Oates, who has earned $879,856, is on a quest to become the first Louisiana-bred mare to make $1 million. The all-time richest Louisiana-bred is Scott's Scoundrel, who earned $1,270,052.

Cheryl P. works in 57 seconds

Cheryl P., a three-time stakes winner, flashed some real speed Thursday morning at Lone Star when she worked five furlongs in a blazing 57 seconds under apprentice Krissy Knorr in her final prep for the Summit of Speed at Calder Race Course on July 14.

Trainer Barry Germany said the filly is to start in the Grade 3, $250,000 Azalea, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies and one of several stakes that make up the Summit of Speed. Cheryl P. is to fly to Florida on Wednesday. Germany said a rider is still pending for Cheryl P., a two-time stakes winner at six furlongs this spring at Oaklawn Park.

Gold Nugget, Caro's Royalty on turf

Gold Nugget, a troubled eighth in the $300,000 Dallas Turf Cup, and Aviesallstar, an improving runner for red-hot trainer Cole Norman, meet in the featured ninth race Saturday, a 7 1/2-furlong turf allowance worth $39,000. The race is one of four turf races on the card.

Others in the feature include Caro's Royalty and Oro Negra, specialists over five furlongs on turf who will attempt to carry their speed two turns; and the Donnie Von Hemel-trained duo of Best of K C and Pesky Rascal.

In other turf races, Slew City Knight seeks his fifth consecutive win in the fifth race, and Bodacious Bubba, winner of the featured race during the National Thoroughbred Racing Association All-Star Jockey Championship on June 22, returns in the seventh race, a five-furlong turf sprint worth $29,000.