BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Virginia Gamble’s Beth’s Dream will attempt to win her fourth straight race Saturday at Gulfstream Park when the Florida-bred mare goes postward in the $100,000 Sheer Drama Handicap for fillies and mares at seven furlongs. Assigned the co-top weight of 125 pounds along with Florida-bred Bluefield, Beth’s Dream will give up to eight pounds to her seven rivals.
The purse includes a $20,000 top 3 bonus for Florida-breds presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Undefeated in three starts this year, all at a mile at Gulfstream Park, Beth’s Dream won two overnight handicaps in her last two after starting the year with a victory in an upper level, $62,500 optional claiming in March. The Victor Barboza Jr. trainee won the $75,000 Mo’ Green by nearly four lengths on April 27 then the $75,000 My Pal Chrisy by two-and-three-quarter lengths on June 23. In the My Pal Chrisy, Beth’s Dream defeated Florida-breds and Sheer Drama rivals Charlie’s Wish and Maryquitecontrary, who were second and third respectively.
She seeks her second career stakes victory after winning the $100,000 Heavenly Cause going a mile at Laurel Park in April of last year.
Bred in Florida by Dr. and Mrs. James Gamble, Beth’s Dream is by Jess’s Dream out of Gator Brew by Milwaukee Brew. The 6-year-old mare has career earnings of $391,617.
Beth’s Dream is the morning line favorite at 7-5 and Emisael Jaramillo will guide her from post four.
The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Bluefield also attempts to build on her own win streak at Gulfstream having captured her last two there.
The 8-year-old daughter of Field Commission was a three-and-a-half-length winner of the $94,000 Musical Romance going six-and-a-half furlongs on June 29 last out after winning an upper level, $62,500 optional claiming at six furlongs in May.
Bluefield won her first career stakes at age seven last year when taking the $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes City of Ocala going seven furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs in December.
Bluefield is owned by Edward Seltzer, who co-bred her with Ed Pendray, and she has earned $474,925 from 10 wins, four seconds and three thirds in 25 lifetime starts. She is out of Imtheblues, by Pentelicus.
Drayden Van Dyke takes the call on Bluefield and they will depart from the outside post eight.
Graded stakes-winner Maryquitecontrary has been assigned to carry 123 pounds and is 6-1 in the program for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.
A winner of last year’s Grade 2 Inside Information going seven furlongs at Gulfstream in January, Maryquitecontrary sports the largest bankroll in the Sheer Drama with $663,642.
She started the year finishing third behind winner Olivia Darling and Bluefield while trying to defend her title in the Inside Information on Jan. 27. She then came back to finish third again in the Grade 3 Royal Delta won by Honor D Lady going a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Gulfstream on Feb. 17. Maryquitecontrary was also fifth in the Grade 1 Madison won by Alva Star at Keeneland going seven furlongs on April 6.
Maryquitecontrary is by Double Diamond Farm stallion First Dude out of Mary Kate ‘n Kelly, by Mecke and was bred by owner Rodney G. Lundock. The 5-year-old mare has seven wins, three seconds and three thirds in 16 starts.
Edgard Zayas will ride from post five.
Others entered are Charlie’s Wish with jockey Miguel Vasquez, Imonra and rider Leonel Reyes, Florida-bred Sophia’s Storm with Melvis Gonzalez up, Florida-bred Hihellohoware will have Edwin Gonzalez in the irons and Infinite Diamond will be ridden by Jose Ferrer.
