Nicole's Dream best in Wild Flower Stakes

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Nicole's Dream returned to racing with females in the $50,000 at Lone Star Park on Saturday and dominated them, winning by three-quarters of a length over Leslie's Love.

It was another half-length back in third to Seneca Song.

Nicole Dream's Dream ($8.60) showed excellent speed in the five furlong turf race, when she darted to the lead soon after the break and was up by a length and a half through an opening quarter in 21.71 seconds. She went on to cover the distance over firm turf in 56.09 seconds.

"She cleared really quick," said Eddie Martin Jr. rode the winner for trainer Larry Rivelli. "The second or third stride I looked over and I hand a length on the inside six horses."

Gerard Melancon rode Leslie's Love and claimed foul against the winner, but it was disallowed and the order of finish remained unchanged. "She took a step out [in the stretch] and I had to steady just a foot," said Melancon.

Nicole's Dream came into the Wild Flower on the heels of a fourth-place finish in the $42,000 Taylor's Special at Arlington Park. That race came against males, as did her prior start, when she won a starter race at Mountaineer Park.

Nicole's Dream earned $30,000 for the Wild Flower win, which was her 15th from 31 career starts. Her earnings now stand at $361,804. Nicole's Dream races for Dare to Dream Stable, and is a 4-year-old daughter of Northern Trend.

The race favorite was 10th place finisher Anna Em. "She just struggled the whole way," said Lonnie Meche, who rode Anna Em.