Sadie Bluegrass (#8 outside) rallies to the Dream of Summer win (Vassar Photography)
Golden Gate Fields Press Box
BERKELEY, Calif.—The talented sprinter Sadie Bluegrass picked up right where she left off at Golden Gate Fields, returning to the races off a 10-month layoff and running down early pacesetter Sassy Future to win the inaugural $75,000 Dream of Summer Stakes on Sunday at Golden Gate Fields. The Dream of Summer is for California-bred or sired fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward and is part of the Golden State Stakes Series schedule.
Out of the gate, Sassy Nature broke from the rail and set lightning-quick fractions of 20.74 seconds for the first quarter mile and 44.11 seconds for the first half mile. Sadie Bluegrass, who broke alertly from post position eight, sat fourth down the backstretch. Into the far turn, Sadie Bluegrass took the third position, swung outside into the clear for the stretch drive, and ran down Sassy Nature in the final strides for a half-length score. Sadie Bluegrass completed the five furlongs over firm turf in a swift 56.74 seconds.
Sadie Bluegrass, sent off as the second choice in the wagering at 5-2, paid $7.60 to win, $4.20 to place, and $2.60 to show. Sassy Nature returned $4.20 to place and $2.60 to show while 8-5 race favorite Chancery Way paid $2.20 to show. Smiling Molly finished fourth followed by Big Sis Little Sis, Tamarando, Rousing Jewel, and Mischievous Curlin.
Sadie Bluegrass, a 6-year-old chestnut mare by Bluegrass Cat out of the Grazen mare Sadie Clare, was bred in the Golden State by Nick Alexander. Jonathan Wong trains Sadie Bluegrass, who has earned $346,080 from 24 starts with 14 wins, 3 seconds and 3 third place finishes. Along with the Dream of Summer Stakes win, Sadie Bluegrass was also victorious in the 2022 Camilla Urso Stakes against open company. Madden Racing co-owns with Hon Cheung Kum and Hsiu Mei Tsai, who claimed Sadie Bluegrass out of a $12,500 race in 2020.
The 2023 Winter/Spring meet concluded on Sunday with the 10-race card. Live racing resumes at Golden Gate on Opening Day of the Summer Meet on Saturday, August 26. Golden Gate runs Saturday through Monday at the Summer Meet, which concludes on Monday, October 2. For more information, please visit Goldengatefields.com.
