Ontario Sires Stakes star Dream Nation put in his first sophomore steps south of the border in qualifying action at Pompano Park on Tuesday, April 16.
Earning over $200,000 last season with three wins in sires stakes company, the Jacques Dupont-trained Archangel gelding tuned up with a 1:57.3 qualifying mile over a fast track in warm temperatures. Stephane Brosseau steered Dream Nation to the lead heading to a :29.2 opening quarter, then yielded for a loose pocket through splits of :57.4 and 1:27.3 before reeling in the leader with a :29.3 final quarter to win by three-quarter lengths.
A winner of six races from 10 starts and holding a mark of 1:55.3, Dream Nation qualified as the Ontario Sires Stakes season is soon to get underway, with the first preliminaries scheduled for mid-May. The gelding also has potential stakes engagements this year starting with the Goodtimes Trot on North America Cup night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The O'Brien Award runner-up at two races for owners Les Ecuries Dorleans Inc., Ecurie Csl, Gestion Levesque 2005inc and Marc Camirand.