Jess’s Dream lives up to pedigree in debut

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin had a cell phone full of congratulatory texts and was still receiving kudos from fellow horsemen Tuesday morning for the eye-catching debut performance of Jess’s Dream in Monday’s sixth race.

Jess’s Dream, the first foal out of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, rallied from as far back as 18 1/2 lengths after the first quarter-mile to win by a length. Named for Jess Jackson, the proprietor of Stonestreet Stables until his death in 2011, Jess’s Dream ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.06 and earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I told everybody he would need a race and I was right for the first three-quarters,” McLaughlin said. “That was a ‘Wow!” Jess was looking down on us yesterday and smiling.”

McLaughlin said he hadn’t really thought about what might be next for Jess’s Dream, though he said an allowance race at Belmont Park is the most likely spot.

“I didn’t want to go a mile and an eighth two turns first time,” he said. “Now, we’ll go one turn, and he’ll be keen and pulling.”