Frank O'Reilly is the first to admit that it's a good problem to have, but in a recent interview the conditioner has explained that he has had to
pick his spots with 2011 Cutler Memorial winner Slave Dream.
On May 14 Slave Dream and driver Brian Sears took to the Meadowlands' speedy one-mile oval and closed for a one and a half-length win over Buck I St Pat in a sharp 1:52.4.
"He came out of it good," O'Reilly said during the recent interview, which was conducted by the Woodbine Entertainment Group. "He raced real good. I was just going there hoping to get good money and the 'big dog' ate and he get 'er all."
Although Sylvain Filion was not at the Meadowlands to steer Slave Dream in his Cutler victory, but O'Reilly praised the pilot for the job he has done with the talented yet sometimes unsound warrior. He stated that Sylvain "has done a great job with the horse," and that "he's not always been that sound, but Sylvain has always got him around and got money with him. He's had a tough job driving that horse and people don't realize how good a job he's done."
O'Reilly said that the gelding has "got small feet for a big horse --- that doesn't help." He also said that Slave Dream has "got a spur in his left hock" and that chips have been taken out of the gelding's right hind ankle and left front ankle. "If you just pick a spot he's probably got an ache and pain everywhere," O'Reilly said.
He explained that if all goes well, Slave Dream will be headed to the Earl Rowe, and then probably a start at Mohawk Racetrack before heading back down to the Meadowlands for the Titan Cup.
"Every fight he has is a title fight," O'Reilly said. "He gets no easy races at that level. The only problem you have with a horse like him is that you have to race against such good horses. It is a nice problem to have, but you have to pick your fights with him."
When asked if he had to have Slave Dream ready for one race and win it this year, O'Reilly pointed towards one of WEG's premier stakes.
"It would have to be the Maple Leaf Trot," he said. "You've got to try that San Pail horse again. [San Pail is] a tough creature and I think my horse is capable of doing it (winning the Maple Leaf Trot). If he's as good as he was at the Meadowlands you wouldn't want to overlook him. We'll do everything in our power to have him there and (be) bang on."