Chess's Dream rides rail to win the Kitten's Joy S. (G3)
Saturday, January 30, 2021

Chess's Dream prevails in the 2021 Kitten's Joy S. (G3) - Coglianese photo

Jess's Dream got his first graded stakes winner Saturday at Gulfstream Park when Chess's Dream scored a two-length victory in the $100,000 Kitten's Joy (G3).

Three-year-old Chess's Dream is from his sire's first crop of foals and is his second winner this week. Jess's Dream's two largest crops to date are 2- and 3-year-olds this year.

Chess's Dream, in post one, was eased back off the early pace by Tyler Gafflione when a trio to his outside looked intent on getting to the lead. Gafflione bided his time on the fence as the field went a half-mile in :47.54. Still boxed in on the far turn, he finally found an opening on the inside when pacesetter Original drifted out slightly, allowing Chess's Dream to thread his way through and surge to the front.

The final time on the firm turf was 1:35.18 for the mile.

"I knew there was going to be a lot of speed, I had the perfect position down on the fence," Gaffalione said. "I was able to save ground. On the far turn, it looked like (Original) was trying to get out a little bit on him. I didn't panic and a hole opened up and when I asked him he really accelerated. He's a long-striding colt. He'll just get better the longer he goes." 

Chess's Dream ($18.60) has earned $108,980, with a 2-2-0 record in five starts. He is owned by Michael Dubb, Steven Bouchey, Bethlehem Stables, and Chester Bishop.

The winner was bred in Florida by Loren Nichols out of mare Achalaya, dam of three winners from as many to race, including Casa Creed, who won this same race in 2019.

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