by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Last year’s 2-year-old Dan Patch and O’Brien Award winning trotting filly Crys Dream exploded past her older rivals on Monday night (May 16) as she made her sophomore debut a winning one at Woodbine for regular pilot Luc Ouellette. The filly was entered into a C$25,000 conditioned event and paid $4.70 for the victory.

Crys Dream, who won seven of eight starts as a freshman, earned $584,392 last season and took her lifetime best when she captured the $502,000 Goldsmith Maid final in 1:54.3.

New Image Media photo

Crys Dream trotted to a personal best 1:54.2 in her sophomore debut.

The 3-year-old daughter of Taurus Dream-Crysta’s Image was taken off the gate by Ouellette in the early going as Lexis Noah rushed to the lead for driver Mike Saftic. Saftic would lead his charge past the opening panel in :27, ahead of An Honorable Man (Randy Waples) and Classic Alana (Jody Jamieson).

Heading towards the half, An Honorable Man made a costly break in stride which allowed Classic Alana to inherit the pocket position at the half in :56.4.

Big Payout (Mario Baillargeon) made the first-over bid around the final turn with Zorgwijk Jock (Sylvain Filion) following her. Ouellette had Crys Dream third over, four lengths off the tempo-setter, past three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Turning for home, the backfield began to close in on Lexis Noah as he began to tire. With a sixteenth of racetrack remaining, Ouellette showed Crys Dream open road and she exploded in deep stretch to score a convincing victory in 1:54.2. Zorgwijk Jock finished second, ahead of Lexis Noah.

“There is only one word that can describe this filly, unreal,” Ouellette said following the victory. “I didn’t say one word to her the entire mile. When I tipped her three-wide, she took off on her own, it was like she was shot out of a cannon. I was just a passenger tonight.

“She tracked horses very well and I knew I had tons of trot turning for home. She is a special, special horse.”

Crys Dream’s first stakes engagement will be in the Casual Breeze on June 3.

Henrik Hollsten trains Crys Dream for co-owner/breeder Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme and Deo Volente Farms LLC, T L P Stable and Jerry Silva.