OCEANPORT, NJ – Joseph Allen’s homebred Dream Awhile overcame a poor start to earn her first graded score in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Stumbling out of the middle gate as the 1-2 favorite under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Dream Awhile sat off initially while Gianna’s Dream posted initial splits of :25.14, :49.73, and 1:12.62. Dream Awhile made her move heading into the far turn and took command with 2 furlongs remaining, but midway down the stretch, Special Event began cutting into her lead. Left with too much to make up in too short of time, Special Event had to watch as Dream Awhile crossed the wire first by 3/4 of a length in a final time of 1:41.59 for the 1 1/16-mile turf event.
Nearly 3 lengths behind Dream Awhile, her stablemate Elysea’s World had to fight hard in order to neck out third over Viva Vegas, while Gianna’s Dream faded to complete the order of finish. Feeling Bossy, Lift Up, and Star of Midnight completed the order of finish.
Dream Awhile’s win was her first since taking the Tropical Park Oaks at Gulfstream Park last December, though since then, she had finished second in the Grade 3 Suwannee River Stakes and third in the Grade 2Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes. After making her first five career starts in Europe, the 4-year-old daughter of War Front shipped stateside to the Brown barn. With the win, she improved her record to 10-4-1-4 with a bankroll of $215,689.
Dream Awhile returned $3 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.10 to show. Special Event brought back $5.60 to place and $2.40 to show, while Elysea’s World paid $2.10 to show.
