Morse may parlay Dreaminblue's big Beyer into Rebel start

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Dreaminblue, who owns one of the top Beyer Speed Figures by a 3-year-old in 2025, is being considered for a start in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel at Oaklawn Park, trainer Randy Morse said Tuesday.

Dreaminblue earned a 94 Beyer when he won a maiden special weight sprint in his most recent start Jan. 25. It’s the best number put up by a 3-year-old this meet at Oaklawn and tied for fourth highest number in North America.

Dreaminblue rallied from off the pace for a 3 1/2-length win in the six-furlong race. The son of Street Sense had been considered for a sprint stakes Sunday at Oaklawn, the Ozark, but Morse has decided to look at a pair of upcoming two-turn options.

“We’re going to see what the Rebel looks like and then there’s an allowance race the next day,” he said.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Both races are at 1 1/16 miles, with the Rebel set for Feb. 22. Entries for the Kentucky Derby points race will be taken on Sunday. Dreaminblue would be making his second two-turn start in either spot, after finishing fourth in an earlier maiden route at Oaklawn.

“We ran him a mile once, but he ran real green,” Morse said. “I don’t think the distance was a problem as much as he was just looking around. [Jockey Cristian] Torres said, ‘You know, I sure think blinkers would help him,’ and we put the blinkers on him the next start, back short, and he just got beat and then came back and won.

“But the thing I do like about him to maybe let him stretch farther is, he’s pretty laid back. You can kind of do what you want with him. He’s not one dimensional, so that should help him.”

Dreaminblue’s runner-up finish in his first sprint with blinkers came against Innovator, who returned in his next start to finish a close third in the Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds.

Dreaminblue is a May foal out of the Curlin mare Dreamy Blues.

“He’s growing up, but he’s still a young kid, so to speak,” Morse said. “But he seems like he’s getting better all the time. I think he’s loaded with talent. But talking about it and doing it [are two different things.] But I think he’s got quite a bit of talent.”

Dreaminblue races for the partnership of Randy Patterson, Sam Vogel, and Joe Morgan. He breezed five furlongs in 1:01.80 last Sunday at Oaklawn.

“He’ll work back once more,” said Morse.

Dreaminblue was a $120,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auction of 2-year-olds in training last June.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.