Dreaming of Anna Beats Males in Summer Stakes

(from Woodbine report)
Frank Calabrese's homebred Dreaming of Anna left eight male rivals in her wake, capturing Sunday's $250,000 Summer Stakes (Can-III) for 2-year-olds in decisive fashion.

The Rahy filly traveled one mile in 1:35.03 over the firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course, defeating 13-10 favorite Marcavelly by 3 ¼ lengths. Orna, at 55-1, finished third.

Now undefeated in three starts, Dreaming of Anna may have punched her ticket to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4.

"I told Mr. Calabrese, I think we have something very, very special here. We have Breeders' Cup in the back of our minds," said winning trainer Wayne Catalano, who's only had one other Woodbine starter in his career, 2001 Carotene third-place finisher Great Fever.

Dreaming of Anna broke on top from post nine, repelled an inside challenge from Seaside Links and showed no mercy in the stretch, widening at will under jockey Rene Douglas.

Douglas, who was aboard the chestnut for the first time, had nothing but praise for the precocious filly, who carved out fractions of :23.69, :47.55 and 1:12.03.

Her final time was just three-fifths off the Summer Stakes record set by Dave Bell trainee Native Regent in 1994.

"I think she's the best filly I have ever ridden in my life," said the 39-year-old rider. "I've been on nice fillies before, but this filly gives me goose (bumps).

"I think people are going to fall in love with this filly. She made the boys look bad today. All the girls will be rooting for her down the road."

Dreaming of Anna was entered in last Sunday's Arlington-Washington Breeders' Cup Lassie (gr. III) but scratched when the Arlington main track came up sloppy.

The Kentucky-bred is out of Very One winner Justenuffheart, a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Kitten's Joy.

"It's a great feeling. I bred her and her brother (3-year-old) Lewis Michael. She's named after my sister," said Calabrese.

Second choice in the field of nine, Dreaming of Anna returned $6.30, $4.10, $3.70, combining with Marcavelly ($2.70, $2.60) for an $11.20 exacta. Orna ($11.00) rounded out a trifecta of $264.10.

Streets Ahead finished fourth, followed by Seaside Links, Walk With Kings, L.A. Boy, Samurai Prince and Approval Rating.

(Chart, Equibase)