Since scoring in the Forward Gal (gr. II) less than a month ago, Frolic's Dream was purchased privately and has changed barns, but that won’t keep the promising filly from trying to win for the fifth time in six starts in the $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) March 1 at Gulfstream Park.
A daughter of Smoke Glacken—Flashy Frolic, by Premiership, Frolic’s Dream was purchased from Dare to Dream Farm by Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables two weeks after winning the Jan. 30 Forward Gal by 2 1/2 lengths. Previously trained by Marty Wolfson, she was moved into the barn of Barclay Tagg, who said there is no reason to change the immediate plans for his new filly.
On Feb. 24, Frolic’s Dream worked five furlongs in 1:03.20 at Gulfstream in preparation for the Davona Dale, where she will line up against eight 3-year-old fillies in the one-mile main track contest.
“Her workout wasn’t exactly what I would have wanted, but it worked,” said Tagg. “She’s been really nice. She’s been nice to gallop. She does everything nice. We’ve been kind of babying her. She came to us great, and they told us everything about her. We let her play in the sand pit and eat grass every day. She seems happy.”
Bred in Florida by Robert Murphy and Dr. Sandy L. Price-Murphy, Frolic’s Dream won the first three starts of her career – all at Calder Race Course – before finishing third by a head in the Jan. 4 Old Hat (gr. III) in her sophomore debut. In the seven-furlong Forward Gal, Frolic’s Dream returned to the winner's circle by stalking the early pace and easily drawing off around the turn. That race helped make the Jacksons' decision to buy her a little easier.
"We're always looking for something good, and we think she'll make a nice broodmare one day," said Roy Jackson. "We've had a few Frolic's in the family and we like the pedigree. We asked Barclay to take a look at her, and he liked her too. This is our first Smoke Glacken.
"We're going to take it one race at a time with her. We don't know if she's more of a sprinter or can go longer yet. We'll find out more on Sunday. (The Kentucky Oaks, gr. I)) has not entered into our thinking as of yet. That's not why we bought her. We're just hoping for some racing luck and a nice broodmare."
Frolic's Dream will also get a new rider for the Davona Dale. John Velazquez will take over the assignment from Jermaine Bridgmohan, who has been in the irons for all five of her starts.
Frolic’s Dream has made things look easy so far but will get her stiffest test to date. Among those she’ll face are Renda and C.S. Silk, who finished second and fourth, respectively, in the Forward Gal, and New York shipper Justwhistledixie, who enters on a three-race win streak. Also one to watch for is the undefeated Graham Motion trainee Shared Account, a seven-length winner last out in optional claiming company at Laurel Park.
West Point Thoroughbreds and partners’ Justwhistledixie could present the toughest challenge for Frolic’s Dream. The daughter of Dixie Union has been terrific since breaking her maiden by seven lengths in October. Since then, she’s won minor stakes at Aqueduct by open lengths.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, this will be Justwhistledixie’s first time stretching out to a mile. The dark bay has posted a pair of works at Palm Meadows Training Center in preparation for her Florida debut. She will break from post 7 and will be ridden by Alan Garcia.
Sagamore Farm’s Shared Account has been flawless in both of her starts. The daughter of Pleasantly Perfect broke her maiden at one mile in October at Laurel, and was then freshened for her sophomore campaign. In her sophomore debut, a 1 1/16-mile test, Shared Account tracked the early leaders and easily passed the pacesetters around the final turn. Jeremy Rose, aboard for both starts, will get the mount once again and they will break from the rail.
The Davona Dale is race 9 on Gulfstream’s Sunday program. Post time is set for 5:14 p.m. EDT.
$150,000 Davona Dale (gr. II, Race 9, 5:14 p.m.), 3-Year-Old Fillies, 1 Mile (Dirt)
PP. Horse, Weight, Rider
1. Shared Account (KY), 116, Jeremy Rose
2. Stage Trick (KY), 114, Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.
3 Hopeful Image (KY), 116, Cornelio H. Velasquez
4. Frolic's Dream (FL), 122, John R. Velazquez
5. Renda (KY), 120, Edgar S. Prado
6. C. S. Silk (KY), 120, Kent J. Desormeaux
7. Justwhistledixie (KY), 120, Alan Garcia
8. Casanova Move (VA), 114, Jose Lezcano
9. Step Out Smartly (KY), 120, Javier Castellano