Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Beth’s Dream battles Maryquitecontrary
Beth’s Dream has mastered the mile distance at Gulfstream Park, and her local record is one of several key factors she has in her favor Sunday when she takes on highweight Maryquitecontrary in the track’s $75,000 My Pal Chrisy.
The overnight handicap is for fillies and mares. Grade 2 winner Maryquitecontrary is the 124-pound highweight, with Beth’s Dream weighted second at 123. The field of seven also includes Charlie’s Wish, winner of last year’s Azalea who is weighted at 119.
The My Pal Chrisy is expected to produce starters for the Grade 3, $220,000 Princess Rooney on Sept. 21 at Gulfstream.
That race is a goal for Beth’s Dream, according to her trainer, Victor Barboza Jr. She enters the My Pal Chrisy off back-to-back wins over the local main track. Both were at a mile, which is a one-turn configuration at Gulfstream.
“She’s looking great at the moment,” Barboza said. “At one mile, she’s a very, very consistent mare. She’s only lost once at a mile.”
Beth’s Dream boasts a 6-for-7 record at the distance, with five of those wins at Gulfstream and the other coming at Laurel Park in the $100,000 Heavenly Cause last April.
Beth’s Dream has a few other variables in her favor Sunday. For one, she owns the field’s best recent Beyer Speed Figures, getting a 94 for her allowance win March 17 and a 96 for her overnight handicap victory in the Mo’ Green in her last start April 27.
In addition, Sunday’s race shape could suit Beth’s Dream, as there appears to be very little pace in the My Pal Chrisy. A good start will be key, Barboza said.
“My position from the gate is very important, and she’s leaving great at the moment,” he said. “She’s run very well in front.”
Barboza noted Beth’s Dream was effective from off the pace last out and said decisions will be left to jockey Emisael Jaramillo, who will be aboard from post 5.
Jaramillo on Wednesday competed at the Royal Ascot meet in England, finishing second aboard the Gulfstreambased Gabaldon in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Beth’s Dream is a daughter of Jess’s Dream who races for her breeders, Virginia and James Gamble.
Maryquitecontrary met Grade 1 rivals last out when finishing fifth in the Madison on April 6 at Keeneland. The runner-up from the race, Vahva, returned in her next start to take the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs with a 103 Beyer.
As for Maryquitecontrary, she is returning to the Gulfstream main track, where she is 7 for 11.
Her record includes a victory in the Rampart at a mile in December.
Edgard Zayas has the mount from post 2 for Rodney Lundock and trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.
◗ Great Venezuela ($2.10), who improved her record to 4 for 6 with her Thursday win in a $35,000 starter allowance for 3-year-old fillies, is now a candidate for the $95,000 Miss Gracie on Aug. 3 at Gulfstream, Barboza said.