Always Dreaming Returns to Churchill for Alysheba
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Always Dreaming enjoys a snack in his stall April 29 at Churchill Downs
Always Dreaming will make his second start of the season May 4 at Churchill Downs in search of his first graded victory since winning the 2017 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Racing exclusively amidst graded company in his last four starts, the son of Bodemeister will headline a field of eight beneath the Twin Spires in the $400,000 Alysheba Stakes Presented by Sentient Jet (G2).
Following his disappointing ninth-place run in the Aug. 26 Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), the Todd Pletcher-trained colt was found to suffer from severe stomach ulcers. Sidelined from racing, Always Dreaming was cleared to return to training in November, when it was announced he had recovered sufficiently to be pointed toward a 4-year-old campaign.
Having logged a runner-up effort in the March 31 Gulfstream Park Hardacre Mile Stakes (G2), the 1 1/16 mile test for 4-year-olds and up could prove a tight race for Always Dreaming, who will face off against a field of talented runners; two of which have already bested the former Kentucky Derby victor.
Owned in partnership by Brookyln Boyz Stables, Teresa Viola Racing Stables, Siena Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds, MeB Racing Stables, and Elias Stables, Always Dreaming breezed four furlongs April 26 in :49 1/5 during his final timed work at Churchill Downs. Jockey John Velazquez will have the mount.
Joining Always Dreaming will be Good Samaritan and Giuseppe the Great—who took first and second place respectively in the July 29 Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2). Always Dreaming settled for third place in that contest, a head behind Nick Zito-trained Giuseppe the Great, who will seek his first graded stakes victory in the Alysheba over a career of 13 starts.
The highweight by two pounds, WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, SF Racing, and Head of Plains' Good Samaritan will break from the rail. Trained by Bill Mott, the millionaire son of Harlan's Holiday will vie for his second win of the season, following his success in the March 24 New Orleans Handicap (G2).
Not to be discounted is 7-year-old, multiple graded stakes winner Hoppertunity. Fresh from his win in the April 4 Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park, the Bob Baffert-trained runner will break from post 5 with regular jockey Flavien Prat aboard. While Hoppertunity has not visited the Churchill Downs' winner's circle since his 2014 Clark Handicap (G1) victory, the son of Any Given Saturday has not finished worse than fourth in his five starts over the Louisville oval.
Owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman, Hoppertunity boasts a career record of 8-7-5 in 30 starts and will be the highest earner on the field for the Alysheba, with earnings exceeding $4 million.
Churchill Downs, Friday, May 04, 2018, Race 8Entries: Alysheba S. presented by Sentient Jet (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Good Samaritan (KY)
Joel Rosario
120
William I. Mott
5/2
2
2Hence (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Steven M. Asmussen
15/1
3
3Always Dreaming (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Todd A. Pletcher
3/1
4
4Backyard Heaven (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
118
Chad C. Brown
9/2
5
5Hoppertunity (KY)
Flavien Prat
118
Bob Baffert
3/1
6
6Giuseppe the Great (KY)
Luis Saez
118
Nicholas P. Zito
30/1
7
7Hawaakom (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Wesley E. Hawley
15/1
8
8Awesome Slew (FL)
Jose L. Ortiz
118
Mark E. Casse
5/1
