Practical Dream possible for Starlet

DEL MAR, Calif. – Even though Practical Dream’s front-running victory in the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar did not earn much of a figure, it sets her up for a shot at two turns in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Starlet on Dec.7 at Los Alamitos. Practical Dream earned a 74 Beyer Speed Figure, the lowest by a Desi Arnaz winner since the race moved from Hollywood Park to Del Mar in 2014.

The low fig is no big deal. Practical Dream, trained by Tim Yakteen, is bred to route, and a low figure in the Desi Arnaz does not preclude winning the Starlet. Two recent Desi Arnaz winners, Chasing Yesterday and Nothing Like You in 2018 and 2023 respectively, each won the Desi Arnaz with a 78 Beyer followed by a victory in the Starlet next out.

The question facing Practical Dream is, who will she face in the Starlet? Tenma, the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante winner, scratched from the Desi Arnaz to aim for the two-turn Starlet. But the early favorite for the Starlet is a filly who is still not a confirmed runner.

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Vodka With a Twist, runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, would likely be favored if she runs in the Starlet.

“I’m just going to play it week by week,” trainer Phil D’Amato said, calling her “possible” for the Starlet.

Vodka With a Twist, runner-up in the Del Mar Debutante and Grade 3 Sorrento prior to finishing second in the BC, has two wins and three seconds from six starts.

Others nominated to the Starlet include Casalu, Cipriani, Howin, Mawu, and Nooni. Thirteen of the 30 fillies nominated to the Starlet are trained by Bob Baffert.

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