Solid Dream Catcher claims 1000 Guineas

DREAM CATCHER produced another solid display of stamina, working her way from ninth a half-mile out to collar stablemate TAYLOR MADE with a furlong to run, handing champion trainer Jason DaCosta one-two finish in yesterday’s 1000 Guineas.

Forced to race wide down the backstretch from post-position 10 for the first three furlongs as a stampede of horses gunned for the lead, 21-1 outsider SKY IS THE LIMIT being pressed by LEXI LOU, VICTORIOUS LINKS, and SOCIAL STORM, DREAM CATCHER caused trainer Jason Dacosta anxious moments but not Tevin Foster, who eventually angled the Thornbird Stakes and Portmore winner to a ground-saving rail run.

“I didn’t panic because I know this horse very well,” said Foster. 

“Leaving the half-mile, I didn’t ask her to do much but after that she gave me a kick at the three and I said, okay, I’ve got them.”

SOCIAL STORM, DREAM CATCHER’s stablemate, tackled SKY IS THE LIMIT leaving the half-mile marker, a head-bobbing battle royale watched by DaCosta’s third runner, TAYLOR MADE, who pounced on the leaders coming off the home turn.

DREAM CATCHER straightened seventh and started weaving through traffic, splitting GIVING THANKS and TAYLOR MADE a furlong and a half out before sprinting clear for a six-length win in 1:41.2 at odds of 3-5.

DREAM CATCHER, Bern Identity-Double Jeopardy, has only lost once from five starts, outsped by TAYLOR MADE at six furlongs on her second outing.

Meanwhile, two-time Mouttet Mile runner-up, American LEGACY ISLE, took advantage of the fast-racing surface to ironically erase Eros’ 35-year-old track record at seven furlongs, clocking 1:22.3 in a gate-to-wire win in the event named for the greatest local-bred sprinter ever.

Partnered by champion jockey Raddesh Roman for Rohan Crichton, LEGACY ISLE effortlessly led the grade-one event into the lane, ripping a fantastic six-furlong split of 1:09.1, leaving OF A REVOLUTION chasing in vain.

Mouttet Mile-placed runners continue to dominate grade one, LEGACY ISLE following up on last year’s winner RIDEALLDAY’s track record at eight and a half furlongs in April’s Ian Levy Cup, a win-and-you’re-in for this year’s US$300,000 event.

Racing continues this afternoon with colts and geldings squaring off in the 2000 Guineas after Gary Subratie’s trio of STARDOM, SALUTE THE DON and GOD’S PLAN, swept last month’s Kingston prep race at seven and a half furlongs.