Deciphering Dreams Tries Dirt in Runyon

After breaking his maiden by a half-length at Saratoga Race Course on August 19, Deciphering Dreams rallied to finish third, missing second by a head, in the Grade 3 Pilgrim at Belmont Park on October 3.

Deciphering Dreams, owned by Winter Park Partners, IEAH Stables, and Pegasus Holdings Group Stables, will attempt to return to form after finishing 11^th in the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs on November 6.

“This looked like the most logical spot for his next race as it’s two turns and for New York-breds,” said trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr., of the decision to bring Deciphering Dreams back in the Damon Runyon. “He’s been training well on the dirt, but there’s no way of knowing he’ll like the dirt until we try it. If he likes it, he might run here again, and if not, we might take him to Florida or give him the winter off.”

Ramon Dominguez will ride Deciphering Dreams, the 4-1 third choice on the morning line, from post 8 in the Damon Runyon, a one mile, 70-yard race on the inner track.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will send out a pair of previous stakes winners in the Damon Runyon.

Sky Music, owned by Dogwood Stable, is unbeaten in two starts, having prevailed by a head in a Belmont sprint on October 3 and drawing off to take the Restrainor by 3 ¾ lengths over a one-turn mile at Aqueduct on November 18.

“There wasn’t an allowance option, so we decided to take a shot in the stake,” said Pletcher. “He responded by stepping up with a big performance. You’re always concerned about running back on short rest, but it seems like he has done well physically since that race. I thought he ran a more professional race than I anticipated because I thought he was a little green in his first start. He seemed to make a big move forward.”

Javier Castellano will ride Sky Music, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, from post six.

Repole Stable’s Never Right Joey, victorious in the High Rock Springs at Saratoga in August, enters Sunday’s race off a fourth in the Sleepy Hollow at Belmont on October 30 and a fifth in the Restrainor.

“I’m interested to see how he’ll handle the two turns,” said Pletcher. “I thought he had a little bit of a difficult trip last time as he got stuck inside and was never able to get into a great rhythm.”

Never Right Joey, 5-1 on the morning line, will leave from the rail under John Velazquez.

Stepping up in class for the Damon Runyon is Preachin  tothedevil, who debuted a 7 ¼-length winner in a one-mile, off-the-turf event at the Big A on November 6. Junior Alvarado will ride the 3-1 second selection from post 6.

Ram, Beau de Beaupre, Megalithic, and Artie Luvsto Party complete the Damon Runyon field.

On Sunday, Aqueduct will also host the East View for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies, with Miss Valentine heading the field for the one mile, 70-yard event.

A Waterville Lake Stables homebred, Miss Valentine has raced twice, overcoming trouble to win by a half-length against maidens at Belmont on October 28 and closing in the stretch to take the one-mile Swirlaway at Aqueduct on November 17.

“She’s coming back a little bit soon, but she’s doing very well right now,” said Christophe Lorieul, assistant to Miss Valentine’s trainer, Christophe Clement. “I don’t think the distance will be a problem as she is a very easy filly to rate.”

Miss Valentine, the 6-5 morning line favorite for the East View, will leave from post 6 with Ramon Dominguez aboard.

Second to Miss Valentine in the Swirlaway was Saltamontes, previously the winner of the Friendly Beauty at Belmont on September 23 and second in the Maid of the Mist at the Big Sandy on October 23.

“I’m just hoping she can get the two turns,” said trainer Rudy Rodriguez of Saltamontes. “I was hoping to give her a little more time between races, but it looks like she’s sharp and happy right now.’

Saltamontes, a Gabrielle Farm homebred, will race with blinkers on in the East View.

“Johnny [Velazquez] said blinkers might help her focus,” said Rodriguez.

Velazquez will guide Saltamontes, the 8-5 morning-line second choice, from post 4.

The East View field also includes Queen’s Harbor, Readygetsgold, Upper East Sider, and Nicole’s Miss El.

The field for the $65,000 Damon Runyon:

The field for the $65,000 East View: