Wicked Halo Beams in Dream Supreme
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Photo: Coady Photography/Jetta Vaughns
Wicked Halo wins the Dream Supreme Stakes at Churchill Downs
A heartbreaking second to Yuugiri last time out in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2), Wicked Halo had no issues handling her competition this time around, streaking to a two-length score in the $300,000 Dream Supreme Stakes at Churchill Downs Nov.11.
There was no stopping @Tyler_Gaff and WICKED HALO ($3.66) today in the $300,000 Dream Supreme Stakes at @ChurchillDowns. She's a Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) filly trained by Steve Asmussen.
Wager on the Pick 4 on the @FDSportsbook: https://t.co/4j8MsEJogu pic.twitter.com/npDLQkL09v— TVG (@TVG) November 11, 2023
The silvery daughter of Gun Runner posted the eighth stakes victory of her career, and her fourth under the Twin Spires for owner Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen. Although she appeared to have lost a step midpoint through the year, Wicked Halo showed the pundits she was back better than ever as the year draws to a close.
After the race, however, Asmussen reported that the Dream Supreme was to be the final foray for Wicked Halo, who will join her recently retired stablemate Echo Zulu in the breeding shed. A graded stakes winner at ages 2, 3, and 4, she retires with a record of 9-3-5 from 18 starts and earnings of $1,579,400.
"I’m unbelievably proud of her. This was her swan song and she’ll head off to the broodmare band," Asmussen said. "She’s run some great races for us, even being third in the Breeders’ Cup herself. We thought this was the right spot and I’m just happy to see her leave the racetrack the winner we know she is."
The connections of Wicked Halo in the winner's circle after the Dream Supreme Stakes
Last of six early under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, Wicked Halo advanced steadily between horses behind Your So Sillea 's opening splits of :21.61 and :44.75 before bursting through a seam at the top of the lane. Finding daylight, Wicked Halo ($3.66) cruised to the wire geared down in a final time of 1:09.97 for the six furlongs.
Little Prankster , making her first start in stakes company, ran on for second ahead of Last Leaf in third.
Video: Dream Supreme S. (BT)
Smokin' T Blazes by Rivals in River City
Taking advantage of a fast early pace, Smokin' T engulfed his rivals at the head of the lane and surged home a 1 3/4-length winner of the $300,000 River City Stakes (G3T).
Smokin' T takes the River City Stakes
The regally-bred son of War Front had been knocking at a graded victory in his last two starts but was forced to settle for third in both the Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup Stakes (G3T) and Mint Millions Stakes (G3T) after his breakthrough win in Saratoga’s Lure Stakes.
Trained by Shug McGaughey for DATT Stable, also the colt's breeder, Smokin' T defeated eight stakes winners in Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile River City. Guided by John Velazquez, the pair raced in mid pack behind 17-1 shot Dominican Pioneer ’s opening splits of :23.33 and :47.96. Sent five-wide turning for home, Smokin’ T ($10.54) drew away from his rivals under a strong hand ride in a final time of 1:50.66 over a firm turf course.
“(Smokin’ T) sometimes wastes a lot of energy early in the race pulling but he was better today,” Velazquez said. “He got a good pace setup which helped him as well. He’s improved all year long and ran very well today.”
Late-rallying Harlan Estate and Siege of Boston completed the trifecta. Favored Rockemperor was seventh after a troubled stretch run.
Smokin’ T became the first graded stakes winner produced by the Ghostzapper mare Wine Princess. A grade 2 winner on the track, Wine Princess is a daughter of Hall of Fame race mare Azeri.