Posse Dreamin tries to make third time the charm in Friday maiden race

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer Edwin Broome will send out his 2-year-old New Jersey homebred Posse Dreamin for his third try in a maiden race Friday at Monmouth Park. So far, Posse Dreamin has finished second twice behind some high-priced stock.

In his debut at 4 1/2 furlongs June 7, Posse Dreamin chased home Souper Colossal, a $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase last summer who is trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. Posse Dreamin was beaten 1 3/4 lengths while finishing a length in front of the third-place Distinctivelyforu.

In his most recent start June 28, Posse Dreamin dueled for the early lead, then could not hold off Stanford, who won by 1 1/2 lengths. Posse Dreamin beat the third-place runner in that race by 2 3/4 lengths. Stanford was a $550,000 2-year-old buy at the Barretts March sale. He is trained by Todd Pletcher.

"I was a little mad after the last race that he ended up going head and head for the lead," Broome said. "The rider hit him once out of the gate and then couldn't get him back. I wanted to take him off the pace and give him something to run at, teach him something. That's what we'll try to do Friday."

Broome said he had five mares but currently is down to three. He breeds them in Florida but decided to send Don't Stop Dreamin to New Jersey to foal. The result was Posse Dreamin.

While Posse Dreamin will face six first-time starters in Friday's seventh race, he looks best of the four entrants who have already started. Could be third time's the charm.