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Star of Kodiak wins at Keeneland Race Course on 10/19/19 in race #10

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10/19/19 | Lexington, KY – Dare To Dream Stable’s Star of Kodiak may not have shocked his connections, but he sure shocked the betting public at Keeneland today in race #10! The 3-year-old son of Ready’s Image used a powerful, sweeping move to circle a tough field of allowance horses and out finish the favored Chad Brown trainee Sayyaff to win the 5 1/2 furlong turf event at odds of 23-1. Star of Kodiak was coming off an ultra-impressive maiden victory in his first start on the grass at Arlington Park last time out. Dare To Dream Stable’s trainer Chris Davis was pretty confident that “Star” would take another move forward based on how he was training and boy was Chris right.

In a full field of 12 in the $73,000 allowance event, Star of Kodiak drew the outside 11 post under the guidance of regular stable rider Mitchell Murrill. The handsome dark bay son of Ready’s Image broke beautifully. He immediately was put in a terrific position by Murrill outside the leading pack in the clear. After the opening quarter, which was run in 22.0 flat, Star of Kodiak was in 6th but just a few lengths off the leaders. With seemingly a ton of momentum, Murrill swung “Star” into the six path in the turn. When they completed the turn, Murrill got after Star, who started picking off horses one by one and set his sights on the favored Sayyaff who had built up a two-length lead. Star of Kodiak continued to rally down the lane and drove past Sayyaff in the final stages to be 3/4 clear at the wire in a snappy final time of 1:03.10. It was another 2 1/2 lengths to the 3rd place finisher. This was Star of Kodiak’s 2nd victory to go along with a second-place finish in five starts with earnings of $60,780.

A big hearty congrats to all the happy partners, many of whom took advantage of the generous odds to leave them all a little wealthier than when they woke up that morning. Kudos to young gun trainer Chris Davis, his assistant Mynor Ortiz, and the entire staff on an incredible training job. Star of Kodiak has really progressed over the past few months and now has a very bright future, including some forays into stakes company. Finally, to our guy Mitchell Murrill who once again gave us a terrific ride and was very confident in “Star” after working him the past two times in the morning. Mitchell rode a picture-perfect race and showed again he can ride with the best of them.

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Star of Kodiak wins MSW on the Turf at Arlington Park in race #5 on 09/07/19!

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09/07/19 | Arlington Heights, IL – Dare To Dream Stable’s improving 3 yr old colt Star Of Kodiak displayed how much he’s improved by easily taking down a tough group of 9 MSW turf sprinters at Arlington Park in race #5 on 09/07/19. Star Of Kodiak was coming off a real nice effort sprinting on the Arlington Polytrack where he finished 2nd after giving up the lead late to a well-meant first-time starter. With that excellent effort behind him, the dark bay son of Ready’s Image was ready for a breakthrough performance. With Jockey Carlos Ulloa aboard again, Star broke just a tad slower than preferred and settled in midpack through the opening stages of the 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint. After the first 1/4 mile which was timed in 22.59, Star of Kodiak was in-between horses about 2 1/2 lengths off the pace. Jockey Ulloa would have to maneuver around some traffic and get Star to the outside before the bend. At that point, Star Of Kodiak launched a stout rally as they approached the quarter pole and came three-wide into the lane. He descended outside of stablemate impeachableoffense in mid-stretch and took the lead at the sixteenth marker gradually pulling away from that rival and crossing the line a widening 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:04.48 for the 5 1/2 furlongs. It was visually an impressive performance by Star Of Kodiak. He didn’t get an ideal trip, yet he and jockey Ulloa made it look somewhat routine in the end. With this maiden score, Star Of Kodiak earned 18k and now has 24k in the bank in his last two starts sprinting after two unsuccessful routes to begin his racing career.

Congratulations to all the Dare To Dream Stable partners for this sweet victory. We’ll look forward to continue sprinting Star Of Kodiak with an expected start at Keeneland on the horizon. It was a terrific training job by Chris Davis, his assistant Mynor Ortiz and the entire staff. Chris has been really patient with Star, and he’s finally learning the mental side to go along with his physical talent. Finally congratulations to jockey Carlos Ulloa who has given Star Of Kodiak two exceptional rides and has a lot of confidence in himself and all the horses he rides. Carlos has a bright future as he secures more live mounts moving forward!

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The Gray Blur wins MSW on Arlington Million Day at Arlington Park!

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08/10/19 | Arlington Heights, IL – Dare To Dream Stable’s promising 2 year-old gray colt, The Gray Blur, made his turf debut on The Arlington Million under-card. The Gray Blur was coming off a troubled trip in his debut on the Arlington Park polytrack last month. He showed flashes of talent in that race and was training forwardly leading up to this one mile Maiden Special Weight turf event. The Gray Blur would have the services of world class jockey Florent Geroux aboard this time and donning blinkers for the first time as well. The “Blur” broke from the 7 hole in the field of 9 talented maidens and although he veered out slightly leaving the gate, the master Geroux quickly redirected him to lead the field into the first turn. They continued to lead on the backside as Geroux tried to slow the pace down as much as possible. After an opening quarter mile time of 24.93, Geroux really slowed down that 2nd quarter and the half mile was timed at 51.36 with the talented son of Fast Anna relaxed on a 1 1/2 length lead on favored Flap Jack. The pressure was turned up on the 2nd turn as Flap Jack and jockey Adam Beschizza tried to get a bit closer to The Gray Blur. “Flo” asked The Gray Blur for a bit more and he responded keeping Flap Jack at bay. Flap Jack looked like he almost got on even terms with ”The Blur” as they turned for home, but Blur dug his heels in and repelled that challenge to open up and maintain a 1 length advantage through the stretch. In deep stretch Flo asked The Gray Blur for all he had and showed great determination to hold off Flap Jack and the rest of this talented field of maidens with the final margin of 1/2 length on the wire in a final time of 1.39.88. It was another 1 1/2 lengths to 3rd place finisher and 4 1/2 to fourth. The Gray Blur earned $18,000.00 in taking home the first place money in this $30,000 maiden special weight event.

Congratulations to the throng of Dare To Dream Stable partners who celebrated in the raucous winner’s circle in front of the huge Million Day crowd. It was quite a spectacle! Huge kudos to rising star trainer Chris Davis who did a fantastic job getting The Gray Blur ready.  Chris was confident that this colt would be better on the turf and going two turns, and also added the blinkers for this start. Chris and his assistant Mynor Ortiz are a fantastic team and having a real good Arlington meet. Of course, tons of credit to to jockey Florent Geroux, once again he showed why he’s one of the best around. “Frenchie” rode the “Blur” perfectly and also bagged two other turf wins earlier in the card.

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Senor Blanco wins at Arlington Park!

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07/21/19 | Arlington Heights, IL – Dare To Dream Stable’s Senor Blanco capped off a terrific weekend for the stable by drawing off at the top of the stretch and easily dispatched his 6 rivals to cross the wire a comfortable 2 3/4 lengths to the good of his nearest competitor  in winning for the 7th time in his career.  Senor Blanco was coming off a pretty good 3rd place effort in his first race off the claim for Dare To Dream.   This time around Senor Blanco was much sharper and ran like we expected him to when we claimed him in early June.  Once again jockey Mitchell Murrill was aboard Senor Blanco and was told to keep him close before making his move when called upon.  Senor Blanco broke sharply and briefly went to the lead before Murrill allowed long shot Campioni to dictate the pace while he sat off that leader on the backside.  Murrill patiently stayed within one length down the backside just biding his time.  When they approached the 7/16th’s, Murrill and Senor Blanco made a 2 wide move and cruised past Campioni with 3/8th’s of a mile remaining.  He then kicked clear and held sway through the stretch under mild urging to win by 2 3/4 lengths while never really being challenged.  Senor Blanco has now amassed $163,704 in his 27 race career.  Along with his 7 wins, he also has 2 second place finishes and 8 3rd place finishes.  This hard knocking Chosen Deputy Gelding gives you an honest effort just about every time he goes to post.

Congratulations to the Dare To Dream Stable Claiming partnership on this nice claim and victory!  Special mention to Michael & Mary Lou Jassak & Martin O’Connor for their first win with Dare To Dream! It was a great training job by young gun Chris Davis and his trusty assistant Mynor Ortiz, as Senor Blanco was razor sharp for this effort.  Finally to our go to rider Mitchell Murrill who provided us with 2 excellent rides and completing the weekend double with this nice win!

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Allaire wins starter allowance at Arlington Park!

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07/29/18 | Arlington Heights, IL – Dare To Dream Stable’s Allaire, making her first start for the stable today in race #7 at Arlington Park since being claimed 3 weeks back, won a 5 furlong turf dash by a measured 3/4 length leaving her connections feeling awfully happy with their newest acquisition. Allaire was coming off a sub-par effort in her last start when Dare To Dream Stable decided to put in a claim on the 5 yr old daughter of Arlington Million winner Cape Blanco. After a few weeks of fine tuning by trainer Chris Davis, it was time to see if those changes would produce winning results. Breaking from the 2 hole it was important for jockey Mitchell Murrill to get Allaire out in good order and establish a nice position right off the expected speed pair. Allaire broke sharply and Murrill was able to put the dark bay mare in 3rd right off the early pace setting duo and on the outside of those two dueling leaders. Allaire looked to be in the garden spot as she was shifted 3 wide at the 5/16th’s marker. She stayed 3 wide through the turn and into the lane where Murrill then engaged leader Sullyvin’s G G and kicked past her in the final furlong. She held the closers at bay to the wire to take the winning share of the $21,240 purse. While it was her first win with Dare To Dream Stable, Allaire now has 5 wins in her career with earnings of over $120,000.

Congratulations to the Dare To Dream Stable partners on the win and an astute claim. Hats off to trainer Chris Davis who did a fantastic job training this mare and making the necessary adjustments to improve her off the last race. This was also the first win for the stable with Chris since he joined the team earlier this Summer. He is off to a great start for the stable with a 3-1-1-1 record and is having a great Arlington meet overall. Chris is sure to have many more wins for Dare To Dream Stable in the near future! Thanks to jockey Mitchell Murrill who rode Allaire for the first time, but did a terrific job of  having the mare in the perfect spot while guiding her to the victory.

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Events

THE GRAY BLUR – Fair Grounds Race Course race #6

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Dare To Dream Stable’s THE GRAY BLUR runs at Fair Grounds Race Course in race 6. Christopher Davis trains and Mitchell Murrill is the jockey.