American contenders pleased with draw for Sunday’s Hong
Kong races
As Thursday’s draw unfolded for the five-furlong Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1),
the connections of NICOLE’S DREAM (Northern Trend), the Dare To Dream Stable of
Michael and Allen Faber of suburban Chicago and trainer Larry Rivelli, were
hoping for one of the outside stalls. Their wish became reality after the
five-year-old mare was assigned the 13-hole.
“We couldn’t be any happier,” Allen
Faber admitted. “That’s exactly what we wanted. Let’s get it on.”
The bay is a three-time stakes winner in 2005, including a 1 1/4-length
success against males in the Taylor’s Special S. at Arlington in September. The
final time for the 5 1/2 grassy furlongs was 1:02, two-fifths of a second
outside of the track record. She was most recently fifth as the favorite in the
Crafty Drone S. at Hawthorne November 11, but the race is a toss, says Rivelli.
“It came off the grass and we had to decide whether to scratch her or run her
and we decided to run. We weren’t concerned about where she finished at all.”
Rivelli added that the mare has adapted well to her new environs. “She’s
better than she’s ever been,” he commented. “She’s acclimated really well. She
hasn’t missed an oat, never turned a hair, just perfect.”
Nicole’s Dream is to
be ridden by journeyman jockey E.T. Baird, who didn’t mind telegraphing race
strategy. “It’s kind of turn and burn, sort of like a dragster,” he offered.
“Just step on the pedal and she’s gone. She likes to run and she likes to go
fast. She likes what she does.”
Vladimir Cerin, the trainer of the two other American chances on Sunday, was
all smiles yesterday, enjoying his Hong Kong sojourn as well as the results of
the barrier draw. The conditioner, who turned 51 less than two weeks ago, is
represented by WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer), who drew stall 8 in the Hong Kong
Cup (HK-G1) as well as the venerable DESIGNED FOR LUCK (Rahy), who will also
break from post position 8 in a contentious renewal of the Hong Kong Mile
(HK-G1).
Cerin has tabbed Kieren Fallon to ride Del Mar Derby (G2) hero Willow O Wisp
and Edgar Prado for Designed For Luck.
“Mr. Fallon and I talked strategy this
morning and I think we’re on the same page,” said Cerin, who was born in
Croatia, moved to Canada in 1968 and to the United States in 1974. “I think he’ll fit the
horse really, really well. He’s coming into this absolutely perfect. He’s had
some very good workouts on the dirt. When we first got him in April, he couldn’t
stand up on the dirt. Now he’s had the fastest workouts every time he works. He
looks good.”
The gelding, who joined the Cerin string this past spring, has four
wins from five starts, but is unraced since his Del Mar score on September 5.
Designed For Luck is owned by David and Holly Wilson, whose Early Pioneer
posted an upset win for Cerin in the 2000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). Hampered by a
suspensory problem, the eight-year-old has had just one start in the last 18
months, a runner-up effort to Singletary in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile (G2)
October 8.
“He’s an old timer. He knows his work and he’s ready to go,” Cerin
commented.