Undefeated Dream Tree gets route test in Starlet

CYPRESS, Calif. – The top of the stretch of Saturday’s Grade 1 Starlet Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos will be new territory for War Heroine and Dream Tree. Both will be trying 1 1/16 miles for the first time in the $300,000 race.

War Heroine won her debut in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 12 at Del Mar by 6 3/4 lengths, leading throughout.

“She looks like a sprinter, but she acts like she can get a distance,” trainer Peter Miller said.

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Dream Tree is unbeaten in two starts, a nose win in a maiden race at six furlongs Oct. 27 at Santa Anita and a nose win in the Desi Arnaz Stakes at seven furlongs Nov. 18 at Del Mar. Trainer Bob Baffert welcomes the challenge of a longer race.

“If she’s going to do it, she can do it right now,” he said.

Dream Tree and War Heroine do not have many rivals. Only five fillies are entered in the Starlet Stakes, the final Grade 1 race for the division in 2017. They face Exuberance, who won a maiden race at a mile Oct. 17 at Santa Anita in her third start; Piedi Bianchi, who was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 4 at Del Mar in her fifth start; and Yesterday’s News, who was second in an optional claimer on turf Nov. 5 at Del Mar.

KEY CONTENDERS

War Heroine, by Lonhro
Beyer: 78

◗ War Heroine was in control of the recent maiden race shortly after the start, holding a three-length lead after a quarter-mile. She was never challenged and led by eight lengths with a furlong remaining.

◗ War Heroine was not urged through the stretch by jockey Flavien Prat, who has the mount Saturday. In the Starlet, War Heroine drew post 4, which could help Miller and Prat’s plans to position the filly from off the pace.

“I’ve been working her behind horses, and she can rate,” Miller said. “Her pedigree is middle distance. It’s wait-and-see.”

◗ Owned by Gary Barber, War Heroine was purchased for $37,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Dream Tree, by Uncle Mo
Beyers: 79-77

◗ Dream Tree is likely to set the pace. She has been near the front in both of her starts and has led by two lengths or so with a furlong remaining only to win narrowly. In both races, she edged Midnight Bisou, who is still a maiden.

◗ In preparation for Saturday’s race, Dream Tree worked six furlongs in a quick 1:12.80 on Nov. 29 and five furlongs in 1:01 on Monday.

“I’m really impressed with her last couple of works,” Baffert said.

◗ Drayden Van Dyke has ridden Dream Tree in her races and has the mount Saturday. Van Dyke has been aboard Dream Tree in recent workouts.

“We’ve been working with her to sit off her company and try to relax,” Van Dyke said. “The last two times have been exciting because she relaxed and finished well and galloped out well. I don’t think distance will be a problem. Based on how she’s been training, I’m confident.”

◗ Van Dyke said Dream Tree can lead, if necessary.

“If I’m leading, I want her to be comfortable,” he said. “If not, I’d like to sit off one. It’s wherever she’s comfortable.”

◗ Owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Dream Tree was purchased for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale in March.

Piedi Bianchi, by Overanalyze
Last 3 Beyers: 74-81-81

◗ Piedi Bianchi has the most experience of the quintet, with three consecutive starts in Grade 1 races – a second in the Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs Sept. 2, a third in the Chandelier Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Sept. 30 at Santa Anita, and the fifth in the BC Juvenile Fillies in which she was beaten 5 3/4 lengths at 17-1 by Caledonia Road.

“She’s a hard-trying filly,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “She just needs to have things go her way. I think she’s got a shot to win. I don’t want to jinx it. She’s gotten close and is a stayer.”