Eddie’s New Dream gate-to-wire in the Fran’s Valentine under Mario Gutierrez (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.— Paul and Zillah Reddam’s homebred Eddie’s New Dream bounded to the lead out of the starting gate and was in control thereafter en route to a half length score in Sunday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Ben Cecil and ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Eddie’s New Dream, a 5-year-old California-bred mare by Square Eddie, got a mile on turf in 1:35.05.
The Fran’s Valentine is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses.
Although the Nick Alexander owned and bred Rose Maddox poised menacingly turning for home and was gaining inches late, she couldn’t get on terms with the winner in a big effort.
Most recently third sprinting six furlongs on dirt in the statebred Spring Fever Stakes Feb. 19, Eddie’s New Dream was off at 2-1 in a field of six California-bred or sired fillies and mares and paid $6.20, $3.40 and $2.80.
Out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, Eddie’s New Dream picked up her third career stakes win and her seventh win from 23 overall starts. With the winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $588,100.
Ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Rose Maddox was off at 4-1 and paid $4.00 and $3.00 while finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Shocking Grey.
Next to last at the rail in the run up the backside, Shocking Grey saved ground to the three furlong pole while about four lengths off the lead, shifted out for the stretch drive but was no match for the top two, finishing 1 ¾ lengths in front of 8-5 favorite Big Switch.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Shocking Grey was off at 9-1 and paid $4.20 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.06, 47.55, 1:11.65 and 1:23.26.
$100,000 FRAN’S VALENTINE STAKES
JOCKEY QUOTES
MARIO GUTIERREZ, EDDIE’S NEW DREAM, WINNER: “She was a lot fresher and sharp today. I was looking for an easy lead and they weren’t pressing me. I knew she would be tough to beat on the front end. She gave me her best at the end.”
TRAINER QUOTES
BEN CECIL, EDDIE’S NEW DREAM, WINNER: “I was a little worried because she can be a little lazy when she is up in front, but those were the instructions from Paul, and he is usually right.
“She gives 110% every time and she is just a nice filly to have and so easy to train, she is a pleasure.”
OWNER QUOTES
PAUL REDDAM, EDDIE’S NEW DREAM, WINNER: “She has been a tremendously honest filly and Ben has done a super job with her. We gave her a little freshener and it must’ve really helped her.”
NOTES: The winning owner/breeder is Reddam Racing, LLC.
