Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC's homebred 4-year-old filly Wicked Halo concluded her career in style with a come-from-behind, two-length triumph over Little Prankster in Saturday's 18th running of the $300,000 Dream Supreme (Listed) at Churchill Downs.
The victory was her eighth against stakes company in three seasons of racing, and third this year.
Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Steve Asmussen, Wicked Halo had a perfect trip in the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. Relaxing in last of six down the backstretch as Your So Sillea ran the first quarter mile in :21.61, she advanced into fourth around the turn and needed a seam to get through at the top of the stretch after a half-mile in :44.75. The opening appeared and Wicked Halo shot through with ease between Your So Sillea and a fading Fire On Time. Wicked Halo took command at the three-sixteenths pole and easily turned back Little Prankster to stop the teletimer in 1:09.97.
“She's an incredibly nice filly,” Gaffalione said. “She was able to relax a little bit early and turning for home really responded nicely when I asked her.”
The win was worth $183,450 and improved Wicked Halo's career earnings to $1,579,400 with a record of 9-3-5 from 18 starts.
“We're so proud of her career and for her to go out like the winner we know she is,” Asmussen said. “This was her swan song and she'll head off to the broodmare band. She's been incredible for us on the racetrack and we're extremely proud of what she's accomplished.”
At age 2, Wicked Halo won the $200,000 Adirondack (G2). Her 3-year-old season included wins in the $158,700 Leslie's Lady Overnight Stakes and $188,500 Tepin at Churchill Downs; $250,000 Prioress (G2) and $334,500 Raven Run (G2). Earlier this year, Wicked Halo won the $250,000 Matron at Oaklawn Park and $125,000 Twin Bridges at Ellis Park.
Prior to the Dream Supreme, Wicked Halo finished a nose back of eventual Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) runner-up Yuugiri in the $350,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 7.
Wicked Halo, the odds-on 4-5 favorite, returned $3.66 for the win.
Little Prankster, the 8-5 second choice, held on for second, 2 1/4 lengths to the good of third-place finisher Last Leaf. Your So Sillea, Fire On Time, and Royal County completed the order of finish.
Wicked Halo is a 4-year-old daughter of Gun Runner out of the Tapit mare Just Wicked and was bred in Kentucky.
Asmussen won the Dream Supreme for a record-extending fifth time. His other wins came with Savorthetime (2004), Speedinthruthecity (2014), Vertical Oak (2018) and Mia Mischief (2019). Winchell Thoroughbreds also campaigned Speedinthruthecity.
The Dream Supreme is named after the six-time graded stakes winner who won the Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs in 2001. Trained by Bill Mott, Dream Supreme won two Grade I sprints in her 16-race career and earned $1,007,680 between 1999-2001.
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