Practical Dream Leads Coolmore-Sired Exacta in Desi Arnaz

It was a Coolmore-sired 1-2 finish in the Desi Arnaz Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar when Practical Dream (2f Practical Joke x Imforeal, by In Excess) beat Silent Law (2f Tiz The Law x Southern Silence, by Dixie Union) in a reversal of the Anoakia Stakes result.

Practical Dream wasn’t the quickest out of the gate, but she soon took the lead in the seven furlong dirt race with Silent Law pouring on the pressure. Practical Dream opened a small lead on that runner at the half mile pole before growing a comfortable lead around the turn.

Jockey Antonio Fresu started urging her along in the stretch to make sure Silent Law wouldn’t catch her and Practical Dream complied, winning by 1 ¼ lengths.

Practical Dream is now the winner of two of three starts with a second place finish in the Anoakia Stakes her only loss.

Bred by Gary Broad, the Tim Yakteen trainee was a $210,000 2-year-old purchase by owners Pierre and Leslie Amestoy and Roger Beasley.

Practical Dream is the second stakes winner for Imforeal alongside the stakes winning Sister Peacock. Imforeal is a half-sister to dual Grade I winner Brother Derek and multiple stakes winners Sister Kate and Don’tsellmeshort in addition to stakes placed Swissle Stick. The extended family also includes Canadian champion Shaman Ghost.

Practical Joke is having another banner year in 2024 with his 11 stakes winners and 26 stakes performers including two Grade I winners.