Churchill Downs Preview | Dream Supreme Stakes 2023: Wicked Halo Reunites With Gaffalione

Multiple graded-stakes winner Wicked Halo has reached some of her biggest achievements with jockey Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle, and the duo will unite again in Saturday’s listed, $300,000 Dream Supreme Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Saturday’s 18th running of the six-furlong dash was carded as race 4 of 11 with a post time of 2:30 p.m. EST. First post is 1 p.m.

“I’m a huge fan of hers,” Gaffalione said. “She’s been so good to me. She tries hard every time. She’s so great to be around and ran such a big race last time out at Keeneland.”

Trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Wicked Halo narrowly missed one month ago in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland, where she finished a close second to Yuugiri. Wicked Halo has been ultra-consistent throughout her 17-race stand with eight wins, three seconds and five thirds. The daughter of Gun Runner has banked $1,395,950 in purse earnings.

Asmussen is no stranger to success in the Dream Supreme. The Hall of Fame conditioner has won the race a record four times with sprinters Savorthetime in 2004, Speedinthruthecity in 2014, Vertical Oak in 2018 and Mia Mischief in 2019.

The full field for the Dream Supreme: