Pursue a Dream turns DeBartolo into first stakes victory

Pursue a Dream had compiled an impressive record over the Remington Park turf course leading up to the track’s $125,000 DeBartolo Memorial on Monday. But there was just one thing missing, a stakes win. Pursue a Dream took care of that detail with a three-quarter length win over Heza Wild Guy in what was one of the meet’s richest grass stakes, and in the process improved his Remington turf record to 5 for 8.

“This horse runs hard every time you bring him over,” said Mike Biehler, who trains Pursue a Dream.

Pursue a Dream ($14) tracked Heza Wild Guy early in the 1 1/8-mile DeBartolo, then moved to the lead through an opening half-mile in 49.37 seconds. Pursue a Dream maintained his advantage through six furlongs in 1:13.49 and a mile in 1:37.29, then finished up in 1:49.45.

Bobby Walker Jr. was aboard for Emerald Bay Stables.

Pursue a Dream’s connections said he is a candidate for the $150,000 Remington Green on Oct. 10.

Quite a Handful was the 9-5 favorite in the DeBartolo and after being boxed in for much of the race rallied for third, finishing a half-length behind Heza Wild Guy.

First stakes win for Slide on Bye

Slide On Bye ($11.40) has been knocking heads with some of the region’s top turf mares, but shook those horses and picked up a stakes win of her own when she swept past the leaders in the final furlong of the $50,000 Ricks Memorial. Slide On Bye won by 2 ¼ lengths over Hisse, while covering a mile on firm turf in 1:35.37.

Glen Murphy was aboard Slide On Bye for Michael Grossman and trainer Francisco Bravo. Slide On Bye had hooked multiple stakes winners Wasted Tears, Category Seven and Bubbler in her three starts leading up to the Ricks.

The Ricks supported the DeBartolo on a special afternoon card at Remington.