Hallowed Dreams upset again

NEW ORLEANS - This time, My Brent's Diamond got Hallowed Dreams on the square. Serena's Tune softened up Hallowed Dreams in the early part of the race and My Brent's Diamond edged past her in the stretch to score a three-quarters of a length win Saturday at Fair Grounds in the $75,000 Pan Zareta Handicap*.

The win was the second straight for My Brent's Diamond, who is helping to make a name for her young trainer, Jerry Quinn.

Quinn, who trains five horses here, has won with three of seven starters and, thanks to My Brent's Diamond, winner of the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint in her previous start, has two stakes wins here.

For Hallowed Dreams, it was a day of firsts. The Pan Zareta was the first time Hallowed Dreams, a winner 25 times in 29 starts, had lost two races in a row. It also was her first start in more than two years without jockey Sylvester Carmouche, replaced Satrday by Marlon St. Julien.

Coming back on only a week's rest in the Champions Day Sprint on Dec. 8, Hallowed Dreams finished ninth in the dullest race of her career. But this time, with a couple of months and three lightning-fast works between starts, Hallowed Dreams was deemed fit for a good race by her co-owner and trainer, Lloyd Romero.

Hallowed Dreams broke inward leaving the gate, but she quickly assumed command, only to be pressured on the backstretch by Serena's Tune, who forced the first quarter-mile into a quick 21.79 seconds. Hallowed Dreams shrugged off Serena's Tune turning for home, cutting the corner with her typical athleticism, but was quickly engaged by My Brent's Diamond and jockey Frank Lovato. The two Louisiana-breds ran together through the stretch, with My Brent's Diamond edging clear in the final half-furlong.

My Brent's Diamond covered six furlongs in 1:10.40 and paid $9.40 to win as the third choice. Hallowed Dreams was followed home by Hattiesburg and Serena's Tune. Dominica's scratch reduced the field to four and canceled show betting.

The matchup between My Brent's Diamond and Hallowed Dreams is likely to be renewed here in the Victoria Lass Handicap next month.

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