Bode’s Dream the real deal in $200,000 Astoria S.

Bodemeister’s first winner became his first stakes winner on Thursday at Belmont Park with a stellar 2 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Astoria S. 

The gray or roan filly streaked to a front-running victory in a sparkling 1:03.66 for the 5 1/2-furlongs on the fast main track, after carving out swift fractions of :22.13, :45.56 and :57.86.

“It was pretty easy,” said winning jockey John Velazquez. “She broke well, went right to the lead and just held it. She did everything well. We were a little bit concerned being on the lead since speed is not holding, but they’re babies. She broke well and I left her alone and she ended up running all the way around.” 

“In these type of races everyone’s sort of in the same boat; everybody for the most part has run one time and won,” added trainer Todd Pletcher. “There was a very strong headwind down the backside but as I told Johnny in the paddock, ‘maybe don’t overthink it; we’re only going five and a half, you’re not running that far into the wind’. She just caught a flyer at the start and was right on the lead right away. Johnny did a smart thing and took advantage of it.” 

Bode’s Dream is owned by St. Elias Stable. With the win, the 2-year-old filly has earned $135,000 in her two starts, both wins. The Kentucky bred broke her maiden May 11 at Gulfstream Park.

The winner, bred by SF Bloodstock, is out of Frolic’s Dream, winner of the Forward Gal S. (G2). Bode’s Dream sold for $300,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Bode’s Dream’s victory will move Bodemeister to the top of the 2016 Freshman Sire list by earnings.