It’s been another successful week on the track for LEA, whose performers were led by the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic winner Carlea’s Dream.
Looking for his first stakes victory after finishing third in the Singletary Stakes in Texas last out, Carlea’s Dream went two spots better when racing 1 1/16 miles on the Louisiana Downs turf.
The gelding broke from one of the widest positions and was happy to take up jockey Lindey Wade’s suggestion of racing near the front of the main pack as a lone leader opened up multiple lengths on the field. As they entered the turn, Wade angled his mount out a few paths wide went back to the rail while looking for a hole.
It took until the final sixteenth for that hole to materialize and Carlea’s Dream took full advantage, shooting to a 1 ¼ length win as the race favorite.
Owned by Carl Moore Management, it was the fifth win in 16 starts for the gelding, who has finished in the top three 13 of those times for nearly $165,000 in earnings. A $100,000 purchase by his racing owner at the 2018 Equine Sales of Louisiana Yearling Sale, Carlea’s Dream was consigned by Red River Farm at the sale.
Time Will Tell LLC bred the 4-year-old, who is the second stakes winner for Beat The Street, who also produced stakes winner Kylie’s Cutie and stakes-placed Blue Ribbon Girl. Their dam Beat The Street is a half-sister to six-time stakes winner Ahead of Her Time, four-time stakes winner Hisse, and stakes winner Pickett.
Carlea’s Dream was the second stakes performer in three days for LEA, who saw his juvenile filly Poppy Flower record a close second in the Listed Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga.
LEA’s juveniles continued to impress on Friday as well when Run Lea Run broke his maiden at Gulfstream Park in his second start to lead a two-winner day for LEA with 3-year-old Pino In A Purse winning a Woodbine race by two lengths.
LEA’s weekend ended in impressive style when Jades Gelly dominated a race at Saratoga. From the same crop as Carlea’s Dream, the filly had to duel for the lead in the 5 ½ furlong race but once she had a secure hold on it, the race was over. Jades Gelly ran away under Manuel Franco to win by 7 ½ lengths and complete a week to remember for her sire.
The sire of 60% winners this year, LEA has seen 2-year-olds from his biggest and best-bred crop yet account for four of those winners. That 2019 crop is led by Tremont Stakes second Kavod and the aforementioned Poppy Flower.