Trainer Bob Baffert had to settle for second and third in the
afternoon’s supporting feature, the $150,000 Swaps Stakes.
Dreamy Kid, who was making his first start in blinkers and
first in a graded race, shocked heavily-favored Coil to win by a head.
Trained by Neil Drysdale for owner-breeder Robert S. Evans,
the 3-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid and the Silver Hawk mare Dreams was rated
off the pace set by Runflatout, split horses with less than a quarter of a mile
to go before rallying outside Coil to prevail after the 1-2 choice had gained
the lead early in the stretch.
There were plenty of other firsts in the 38th
Swaps. The win was the first in the Grade II for jockey Joe Talamo, who had
never collaborated with Dreamy Kid in the afternoon prior to Saturday.
The 19-1 surprise came nearly 12 months to the day when
Talamo, riding 1-5 favorite Sidney’s Candy, was beaten by a head by Skipshot in
the 2010 Swaps.
In providing his Hall of Fame trainer with his third Swaps
victory – the others were Forceten (1975) and Prized, who stunned Sunday
Silence in 1989 – Dreamy Kid increased his earnings to $138,880. He’s won two
of five. His previous victory was a 7-1 upset of maidens May 26.
The second longest shot in a field reduced to five after the
scratch of Boxeur des Rues, Dreamy Kid paid $40, $8 and $4.40. He ran the 1 1/8
miles over Cushion Track in 1:50.43. He carried 112 pounds, six fewer than the
runner-up.
An impressive winner of his two turn debut in the Grade III
Affirmed Handicap June 11, Coil paid $2.60 and $2.10 as the 1-2 favorite. He
finished 2 ¼ lengths in front of stablemate Uncle Sam. The show price on Uncle
Sam was $3. Runflatout, who tired after a stutter step start, and Spud Spivens
completed the order of finish.
“I’ll tell you what, I’m real glad Neil let me work him last
time,’’ said Talamo, referring to a 47 1/5 bullet half mile drill Dreamy Kid
turned in four days earlier. “I really think that made a big difference. He was
in blinkers and went the last quarter in 22 2/5 (seconds).
“That’s unheard of, not only for a 3-year-old, but even a
stakes horse. That’s why I waited as long as I did. I knew that right when I
asked him, he’d kick.
“I thought about going around on the far turn, but I hate
going that wide. Anytime you go four wide they’ll usually hang the last part.
So I went to wait and wait and I said you know if he runs like he works, he’ll
win. And man he really had a nice turn of foot. He’s the kind of horse that’s
just going to get better and better.’’
In perfect tracking position outside Runflatout for most of
the nine furlongs, Coil had no excuses as he lost for the first time in four
starts since being privately purchased by Baffert for owners Mike Pegram, Kartl
Watson and Paul Weitman.
“He just got beat,’’ said Coil’s rider Martin Garcia. “I
just rode my horse. I didn’t worry about anyone else. There really wasn’t a
difference between last time and this time. He ran well, just not well enough
to win today.’’
Drysdale was quick to credit David Flores, who had ridden
Dreamy Kid in all of his previous starts, for the decision to add blinkers.
“David confirmed when he rode last time that he did need
blinkers,’’ said Drysdale, who indicated Talamo gained the mount Saturday
because of his ability to make the assigned weight. “He’s a nice, developing
3-year-old.’’
Baffert, who was seeking a record fifth Swaps victory, said
Coil will make his next appearance in either the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes July
30 at Saratoga or the $1 million Haskell Invitational July 31 at Monmouth Park.