Island Reward needs hot pace in Nicole's Dream Stakes

Just like death and taxes, there are two certainties when it comes to Sunday’s $75,000 Nicole’s Dream Stakes at Gulfstream Park: The pace will be fast, and Island Reward will be flying at the leaders at the end.

Whether the pace will be fast enough for Island Reward to win the five-furlong Nicole’s Dream is the key question in a race that lured a field of eight fillies and mares, including the speedy and red-hot duo of Sound Defence and Miz Mayhem.

Island Reward, to be ridden by Jose Batista, will be turning back in distance off a series of two-turn races for trainer Yvon Belsoeur. A daughter of Street Boss, Island Reward finished fourth, beaten just two lengths by the multiple graded stakes winner Lull, in the Grade 3 Honey Fox going a mile here March 31, and comes into the Nicole’s Dream off an 11th-place finish in the Powder Break, also at a mile, four weeks later.

“Yes and no,” Belsoeur said when asked if he was disappointed with Island Reward’s latest effort. “But I believe you always look forward, never backwards, that there’s nothing we can do about the past. And her last two works were tremendous. That’s what I’m counting on.”

Island Reward has made two starts going five furlongs on turf, winning a $25,000 optional-claiming dash at Gulfstream Park West in November when haltered by Belsoeur for owner Bruno Schickedanz. Island Reward rallied from just off the pace to a 1 1/4-length victory that day, and Belsoeur is looking for a similar pace scenario to unfold Sunday.

“Let them fly,” Belsoeur said. “My rider has a good sense of pace. He knows how to wait, and that will be the key. Timing is everything.”

Sound Defence and Miz Mayhem bring three-race winning streaks into the race and sport similar running styles, with early speed being their biggest asset.

Sound Defence has not been outrun for the lead in her last seven starts and has not been challenged in her last three outings, winning by a combined margin of 12 1/4 lengths. She was haltered for $25,000 out of the same race as Island Reward when finishing a tiring third behind that rival following a grueling pace duel.

Miz Mayhem is the only 3-year-old in the Nicole’s Dream and will be facing older horses for the first time. She enters off a 1 1/4-length tally in the Cedar Key overnight stakes for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., whose wife, Laurie, bred and owns the vastly improved filly.

Little Christina also has the ability to rate and run from off the pace, having used those tactics to register a half-length victory over lesser optional-claiming opposition here a month ago.