The will to win is one of M Ms Dream’s most important traits.
But there are more, according to Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke, who started training the four-year-old trotting mare just a few weeks ago.
“She is the nicest horse,” Burke said. “She’s a really good horse and she likes to win. She’s been a stake horse in Indiana, and she’s now been given a chance to race elsewhere. She’s special.”
The only negative going into Saturday night’s $410,250 E.T. Gerry Jr. Hambletonian Maturity at The Meadowlands is her post position – No. 9. She is 12-1 on the morning line.
Coming off a first-place qualifier July 7 in 1:53.3, M Ms Dream will be driven by David Miller. The field includes 1-5 favourite Jiggy Jog S and last year’s Hambletonian winner Cool Papa Bell, the second choice at 6-1.
“I wish the post-position gods were a little better to us,” quipped co-owner Frank Baldachino.
M Ms Dream has won three of five races this season, 12 of 13 last year, and finished in the top three in 23 of 26 races lifetime. She has won 21 times and earned $810,172.
Two of the three times she didn’t finish in the top three came in early June, in the second leg of the Miss Versatility Series and an elimination of the Armbro Flight, both at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She rebounded to win in a career-best 1:51 on June 24 in the third round of the Miss Versatility at The Meadowlands.
With Miller, M Ms Dream went to the top from post six and went :27.3 in the opening quarter but gave up the lead past that point to the 2022 Hambletonian Oaks champion Fashion Schooner (Tim Tetrick).
Fashion Schooner would hold the lead to the three-quarters mark in 1:23.3. Miller then moved M Ms Dream to the outside, just beyond the third-quarter mark. M Ms Dream passed Fashion Schooner early in the stretch, and from there led to the finish line, winning by 6-1/4 lengths over Eternal Lee (Andy McCarthy). Dreamonhigh (Yannick Gingras) finished in third, followed by Warrawee Xenia (Brian Sears) and Fashion Schooner.
In addition to Baldachino, the four-year-old Indiana-bred daughter of Swan For All, M Ms Dream is owned in part by Hillside Stables and Eleven Star Stables.
The Miss Versatility Series has preliminary rounds remaining on July 29 and Sept. 8 at The Meadowlands before the final Sept. 21 at the Delaware County (Ohio) Fairgrounds.
For now, however, the mare is pointed to stakes races in states outside of Indiana and others like the Hambletonian Maturity.
Baldachino explained the switch in trainer from his friend Henry Graber Jr. to Burke – the winningest and highest purse-earning trainer in the sport.
“Henry and I have a great friendship and relationship,” Baldachino explained. “He broke the horse and taught the horse and trained her. She’s staked outside of Indiana and needed someone who travels around. Ron was the guy.”
Burke said because he has set ups in New Jersey and Lexington, Ky., his operation was a good fit for Baldachino and M Ms Dream.
“She’s an excellent horse,” Burke said. “She’s among, right next to the best, maybe a step below the very best (Jiggy Jog S). She’s high speed and able to go fast.
“Jiggy Jog is more accomplished. We hope for a little bit of racing luck. One thing for sure [M Ms Dream] wants to win. You can’t teach that. That is innate in them.”
Baldachino said M Ms Dream has been a top performer since her career began.
“After her baby races to now, she’s been phenomenal,” Baldachino said. “I believe in her. This will be a big test. Obviously, Jiggy Jog is at the top. If Dave can get her in the right spot, I like her chances of winning 100 percent. I’m really excited for the race.”
(Hambletonian Society)