Princess Dream by a neck in First Episode

Princess Dream entered Sunday’s $50,000 First Episode at Suffolk Downs at the head of the class among older mares in the Massachusetts-bred ranks. She then exited it in that same position, though seemingly with little margin for error.

Challenged as the 3-5 favorite, the front-running Princess Dream narrowly turned back an inside bid from longshot Dr Ruthless to register a neck victory in the First Episode, her third score from as many starts this year, all in statebred company. Her win followed victories in the Miss Patriot at Finger Lakes on May 1 and the Isadorable at Suffolk on June 9.

While those wins came sprinting, the First Episode marked Princess Dream’s first victory going a route. She raced a two-turn mile in 1:40.80 over a fast track, needing 28.19 seconds to complete her final quarter-mile.

Joel Sone was aboard Princess Dream, a 5-year-old daughter of Freud owned by breeder Patricia Moseley and trained by Jonathan Buckley. She paid $3.20.

Dr Ruthless was 6 3/4 lengths clear of third-place Tropical Joy, who was followed across the wire by Miss Wilby, Jeb, and Greta in the field of six.

Also on Sunday at Suffolk, Saint Anna won the $50,000 Louise Kimball for 3-year-old Massachusetts-bred fillies in a race contested as an exhibition before the parimutuel portion of the card began. The Louise Kimball was the second exhibition of the weekend, following Saturday’s $50,000 Last Dance, a stakes race for older males won by Massachusetts-bred standout Dr Blarney.

Racing returns to Suffolk on Aug. 4-5 for the third and final weekend of the track’s scheduled six-day meet.