Dreaming of Snow surprises in Suncoast
Feb 12, 2023
You might say that champion filly Wonder Wheel got stuck in the snow, so to speak, in Saturday’s $150,000 Suncoast S., as she could not get past the unheralded Dreaming of Snow at Tampa Bay Downs. The 38-1 shot grabbed the early lead and refused to lose, springing a $78 surprise on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Co-owned by trainer Gerald Bennett’s Winning Stables and Team Equistaff, Dreaming of Snow was initially stalked by Ticker Tape Home and Opus Forty Two. She put them away readily and braced for the onslaught of Wonder Wheel and the other prime contender, unbeaten Julia Shining.
Wonder Wheel, the 1-2 choice in her first start since capturing the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), appeared to be traveling like a winner most of the way. Cruising in fourth early, she was still well within herself ranging up to challenge turning for home. Julia Shining, the 2.30-1 second pick, had to be driven from off the pace, much like her champion sister Malathaat, but she too was making headway into the stretch.
Yet Wonder Wheel could not pass Dreaming of Snow, who kept finding more for jockey Samy Camacho. The favorite drew alongside in deep stretch, but the longshot gamely retained the lead. In the final yards, Dreaming of Snow’s determination proved too tough, and Wonder Wheel succumbed by a neck.
By completing the mile and 40 yards in 1:40.18, Dreaming of Snow made her debut on the Oaks leaderboard with 20 points. Wonder Wheel added eight points, and she remains the leader with 48 overall. Julia Shining reported home another 1 1/4 lengths astern in third, good for six points to enhance her total to 16.
Opus Forty Two and Charlie’s Wish, who had beaten Dreaming of Snow last out in the Jan. 14 Gasparilla S., were fourth and fifth, respectively, behind her in the Suncoast. Those efforts were worth four points for Opus Forty Two and two points for Charlie’s Wish. Champagne Calling, Fast Tracked, and Ticker Tape Home concluded the order of finish, and Guns n’ Graces was scratched.
Dreaming of Snow’s improvement might well have come with the added distance. Hitherto campaigned in sprints, she won first time out Sept. 6 at Colonial Downs and romped in a Tampa allowance. Dreaming of Snow was only fourth in her two prior stakes attempts, the Dec. 3 Sandpiper S. and the aforementioned Gasparilla, but the stretch-out to two turns helped her turn the tables. She’s now earned $170,850 from her 5-3-0-0 line.
Bred by Karyn Phillipp in Florida, Dreaming of Snow sold twice at auction at OBS. She brought $35,000 as a yearling and $60,000 as a March two-year-old.
Dreaming of Snow is by Jess’s Dream, the royally-bred son of Hall of Famers Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. The chestnut was produced by the Old Fashioned mare Snow Fashion.
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