Girl With a Dream Another Impressive Winner for Practical Joke

Girl With a Dream (2f Practical Joke x Henley, by Corinthian) became the newest star for her freshman sire on Saturday with a 6 ¾ length Maiden Special Weight romp at Ellis Park.

Racing over five furlongs on the Kentucky dirt, the Brad Cox trainee broke strongly and was happy to pressure the leader when racing a close second. Girl With a Dream looked the leader in the eye around the turn and that one gave in quickly.

Girl With a Dream spent the length of the stretch extending her lead with no horse other horse even looking like they’d get near her.

Jockey Florent Geroux eased her in the final stage for a 6 ¾ length win as the favorite for owner Jim Bakke.

Bred by Machmer Hall and D + J Racing Stable, Girl With a Dream was a $115,000 Keeneland September purchase last year by Green Spring Farm when offered by Machmer Hall Sales.

Girl With a Dream is one of three winners from three to race out of Henley. That mare is a half-sister to multiple Grade II winner and Grade I-placed Mr. Commons and stakes winner Jungle Fighter.

The first North American freshman to sire a graded stakes winner with Wit last week, Practical Joke now has five winners from his first crop.