Michigan-Bred Juvenile Filly Breaks Course Record in Debutante

Michigan-bred Cashier's Dream remained undefeated when posting a 3 1/2-length win in Saturday's $110,500 Debutante Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs. The 2-year-old daughter of Service Stripe led all the way and stopped the timer in 1:02.52 after completing the 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track under Donnie Meche. The winning time eclipses Leelanau's track record of 1:03.11 established earlier in the meet.

"I had a little hold to her and she put me there easy," said Meche. "It just felt like she was galloping along. At the head of the lane when she took off, I just felt really excited because I knew she would win from there. She'd have to fall down or something to get caught, because she was really running."

The win marks the third of the day for Meche, who also tallied victories in the seventh (Mountain General, $6.80) and eighth (Viva Pentelicus, $26.40) races on the card. The Debutante was the ninth race on the Churchill card, and the pick three of Meche's winners paid $714.80. In the Debutante, Lakeside Cup finished second under Lonnie Meche to complete a Meche-filled exacta worth $41.

"I've had a great meet," said Donnie Meche. "This is the second three-bagger I get this meet. It's just been an outstanding meet and hopefully next meet we'll come back and do a little bit better."

Bred by James and Laura Jackson, Cashier's Dream is out of Jerry's Sister, by Monetary Gift. Cashier's Dream won her racing debut in May and followed that with a three-length allowance win on a muddy track in June at the Debutante distance when trained and owned by James Jackson. The filly was purchased by Team Valor and Heiligbrodt Racing Stable in late June and is now trained by Steven Asmussen. Cashier's Dream earned $68,510 for the win.

"She's a very attractive filly -- not a lot to her," said Asmussen. "She's clean as a whistle and we breezed her the other day with decent little horse and the acceleration she showed was amazing. And she did the same thing today. It was very impressive to watch and great to be a part of. Needless to say, I want to thank Barry Irwin (of Team Valor) and Mr. (William) Heiligbrodt for allowing me to continue her racing career. All we've done is keep the boat in the water."

"This filly ran a ten on the (Ragozin) sheets in her last race. Nothing in this race could get close to that," said Irwin. "She ran a quarter of a point faster than Golden Ballet ran twice last year. Much to the credit to the guy who sold us the horse, Mr. (James) Jackson, prior to his signing the contract he promised we'd have the horse, but he wanted his lawyer to look at it and he found out about the ten. But much to his credit, he stuck with the deal. Thank you, Mr. Jackson."

Runner-up Lakeside Cup, third in Cashier's Dream's allowance win, finished 6 1/4 lengths ahead of 8-5 favorite Colonial Glitter. Joanies Bella, Gone Bye Bye, Yes Honey, Twin Sails, and War Dress completed the order of finish.

The second wagering choice, Cashier's Dream returned $6.60, $3.80, and $2.80. Lakside Cup paid $6.80 and $3.80. Colonial Glitter paid $2.60. (Chart, Equibase)