Baileysirishdream coasts in Fla. Breeders

Baileysirishdream established herself as the horse to beat in next week’s Florida Breeders Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting fillies when scoring effortlessly in Wednesday’s second $7,846 elimination at Pompano Park, coasting home to an uncontested victory in 2:03.3.

Driven from post four by Bruce Ranger, Baileysirishdream established control of the race the moment the gate swung open, powering her way to the front with ease while drawing clear of her rivals through an opening quarter mile that was clocked in :29.3.

The daughter of Matchem Hanover cruised unchallenged through middle fractions of 1:02.2 and 1:32.4, and was never tested during any stage of the race, entering the stretch with an insurmountable lead while trotting further away from her overmatched foes to prevail by double-digit lengths at the wire. Indigo Swirl (Wally Hennessey) finished a distant second, while Famous Spirit (Robert Williams Jr.) checked in third.

Owned by Barbara Bailey, Baileysirishdream has visited the winner’s circle in eight of her nine career starts, including a victory in last week’s $16,450 Florida Sale Stakes, which also marked her first appearance inside the Sunshine State.

Earlier this season, Baileysirishdream captured the $86,500 Kindergarten Classic Series final at Vernon Downs, and on Aug. 12 the Richard Bailey trainee trotted the fastest mile by a juvenile filly in Tioga Downs' history when stopping the timer in 1:58.1 to win a $10,000 leg of that same series.

Happy Bee prevailed in the evening’s first $7,846 Florida Breeders Stakes elimination for juvenile trotting fillies, utilizing a powerful last-to-first move to triumph in 2:03.4, tallying her second career victory.

Driven from post four by trainer Tom Haughton, Happy Bee was content to trot at the back of the five-horse field as Famous Valentine (Hennessey) showed the way through fractions of :30.1, 1:02.4, and 1:32.4.

As the field straightened out for the final drive, Happy Bee closed with a rush down the center of the track to take the lead in deep stretch, crossing the wire a length the best of Famous Valentine, who held on for second. Streeter (Williams) finished third.

Owned by DCLD Stables Inc., Happy Bee has triumphed in two of her last five starts after starting her career with five consecutive defeats.

The Florida Breeders Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting fillies will be contested as part of the $600,000 Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Super Night program, to be held at Pompano Park on Saturday, Oct. 27. (Pompano Park)

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