Favored Dreamologist Impressive Winner in $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 10, 2016)—The fact that Sunday’s $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes was moved to the main track due to significant rain the past two days played right into the hands of post time favorite Dreamologist, as the 4-year-old daughter of leading sire Tapit relished the going and posted an impressive 1 ¾ length win under Flavien Prat.  Trained by Richard Mandella, Dreamologist pressed Velvet Mesquite into the far turn and took command turning for home en route to a clocking of 1:15.56.

“She looked comfortable, looked good today,” said Mandella.  “We entered for dirt only.  She’s done so well on the dirt, we wanted to take a shot at it.  This is a nice way to finish the meet.”

Owned by LNJ Foxwoods, Dreamologist was the heavy 3-5 favorite in a field of seven and paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.20.

A close second down the hillside turf in the Arboretum Stakes March 18, Dreamologist posted her first stakes win in the Las Cienegas (originally listed as a Grade III stakes, but currently under review due to the switch in surface) and collected her fourth win from eight overall starts.  With the winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $203,710.

“She runs the same race on the turf as she runs on the dirt I think,” said Prat.  “The only difference is that when you run on the lead on the dirt, you get an advantage.  On the turf, it’s pretty tough to run and win on the lead.  That’s the biggest difference.”

A close third at the quarter pole, Brazilian-bred Off the Road kept to her task in game fashion through the drive and prevailed by a nose for second over Fanticola.  Ridden by Martin Pedroza, Off the Road was off at 15-1 and paid $7.60 and $4.40.

Last after the first half mile, Fanticola rallied well under Joe Talamo and finished third, 1 ½ lengths in front of Velvet Mesquite.  Off at 9-2, Fanticola paid $3.00 to show.

Fractions on the race were 21.54, 44.25 and 1:08.96.

(The main track was listed as “muddy” for Sunday’s first race, but was then upgraded to “fast” for the remainder of the day).

JOCKEY QUOTES

FLAVIEN PRAT, DREAMOLOGIST, WINNER: “She runs the same race on the turf as she runs on the dirt I think. The only difference is that when you run on the lead on the dirt, you get an advantage. On the turf, it’s pretty tough to run and win on the lead. That’s the biggest difference.

“She’s fast, so yeah, I think she’s better sprinting.”

TRAINER QUOTES

RICHARD MANDELLA, DREAMOLOGIST, WINNER: “She looked comfortable, looked good today. We entered for dirt only. She’s done so well on the dirt, we wanted to take a shot at it. This is a nice way to finish the meet.

“Kent (Desormeaux, on Velvet Mesquite) probably figured out that the best way to beat her was to hook her, so he went after (Dreamologist) and I don’t blame him. Dreamologist settled with it nicely enough and had enough kick.

NOTES: The winning owner is Jaime Roth of LNJ Foxwoods who resides in Great Neck, NY.

Source: Santa Anita Park