TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

December Dreamin’

It took a moment, but Julias Dream eventually broke away from the pack on Saturday at Turfway Park to capture the $125,000 Gowell Stakes by 4 ¼ lengths.

The 2-year-old filly has now won three of four career starts, with her only defeat (eighth place) coming in the challenging Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) on Sept. 9. Saturday’s performance was not only a strong bounce back, but also the first stakes win of Julias Dream’s young career.

Given her shining resume at the non-graded level, the Michael McCarthy trainee closed as the 5-2 favorite.

For validating oddsmakers and handicappers, alike, Julias Dream paid $7.86.

Phantom of the Fair Grounds 

Track Phantom put on a scary good effort on Saturday afternoon at Fair Grounds for a surprise victory in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes.

Representing the final heat in this year’s Kentucky Derby Prep, the Gun Runner seemed destined to go to 2-5 favorite Nash. However, Cristian Torres and Track Phantom had other ideas. At 5-1, the dynamic duo took command of the field of seven and never relinquished the lead for an impressive 1 ¼-length score.

What stood as the first stakes win of the 2-year-old colt’s career also extended his streak of landing in the money to four through as many tries.

Track Phantom’s sterling showing paid $11.80.

Stick My Neck Out

It seemed like only a matter of time before Michael Trombetta protégé Souper Blessing secured his first career stakes win. The 3-year-old colt did exactly that, in thrilling fashion no less, this past at Saturday Gulfstream.

After missing out on last month’s Showing Up Stakes by a neck, Souper Blessing returned the favor in the $150,000 Tropical Park Derby to shock the crowd at 12-1. The valiant effort gave Souper Blessing just enough of an edge over 7-2 favorite Irish Aces, who battled back from a stumbling start to make things even more interesting.

The Florida-bred has put together an impressive 2023 campaign, going 2-1-1 in four starts. His latest and most memorable win returned a handsome $26.20. 

Home Cooking

Spirit Wind waltzed into Gulfstream on Saturday for the first time in nine months and left a graded stakes winner. The 4-year-old filly held firm against 6-5 favorite Intrepid Daydream, who rode in on an admirable four-race win streak, to score the $125,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes.

Sitting at 3-1 on the closing line, Spirit Wind looked like an intriguing play based on her remarkable track record at Gulfstream. Through seven career starts there (Sugar Swirl included), she has compiled a stellar 5-1-0 line.

In fact, the only time Spirit Wind ever has missed out on the podium was during her one start away from Gulfstream. She finished fourth in the Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs in May.

The hometown hero paid $8.40 for the win.

Boxing Day Blowout

Anisette (GB) put the finishing touches on a stellar sophomore season with a disciplined 1 ¾ length victory in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1T) at Santa Anita on Boxing Day.

The 3-year-old rising star remained patient as 7-2 runner Be Your Best (IRE) opened to an early lead before stepping on the gas around mid-stretch, never to look back.

The textbook performance resulted in Anisette’s third graded victory of 2023, and second of the Grade 1 variety (Del Mar Oaks in August). Overall, the Leonard Powell disciple is now 5-3-0 through nine career starts.

At 3-5, Anisette paid $3.20.