Amazing Dream N was a superstar during her career in Australia, so the New Zealand-bred, 10-time winner of Grade 1 events Down Under had big press clippings to live up to Saturday night in the $31,500 Open for fillies and mares on the pace at The Meadowlands in her North American debut.
And the millionaire six-year-old delivered.
It was supposed to be a matchup between Amazing Dream N and Majorca N, who mowed her opponents down in three straight races at Dover Downs, but the faceoff didn’t materialize after Majorca N scratched, leaving Amazing Dream N as the sole attraction.
“You have to be careful you don’t do too much too soon,” said Hall of Fame trainer Linda Toscano of her newest student before the race. “She has done so much traveling, but she’s accustomed to that. I thought it was important to qualify her a couple of times (she won in 1:52.4 on April 2). She’s a good horse. We know that. I have to hope that she’s going to be able to learn how to sprint (since she’s been racing longer distances in Australia).”
Driver Todd McCarthy left the gate with the daughter of Bettors Delight-Christian Dreamer, but Annabelle Hanover and Dbldelitebrigade N, who drew inside of the favourite in the six-horse field (there was one scratch) were also away quickly.
Amazing Dream N methodically made her way to the top after the quarter and led at the half in :56.2. She continued to move like a well-oiled machine to three-quarters in 1:24 before reporting home the easiest kind of 1-3/4 length winner in 1:51.1. Annabelle Hanover finished second with A Better Game third.
“I figured it was best to press on and keep her involved,” said McCarthy about his decision to move to the front. “It was good to get a breather in that second quarter. She raced super and I couldn’t be happier. I’m still learning a bit about her. When I asked her, she gave me what I wanted.”
Sent to the gate as the 1-5 public choice, Amazing Dream N returned $2.40 to win. She’s now won 25 of 49 career outings and has earnings of $1.05 million for owners Enviro Stables, R. Gutnick, T. Pontone and J. Lozito Jr.
(Meadowlands)