In four of his five missions, Kiwi’s Dream led the last few yards, only to lose twice by a head, a neck and a length.
“Nobody likes to lose like they lose, but I’m glad he races well,” said coach Victor Trujillo. “Just a bit disappointed that we didn’t make it into the circle of winners.”
Kiwi’s dream will try again at Golden Gate Fields when it walks the San Francisco Mile Class 3 ($ 250,000) at 5:07 p.m. on a scheduled Saturday.
The richest thoroughbred event in the Bay Area represents a 12-race California Gold Rush program that begins at 12:45 p.m. and includes the $ 100,000 California Derby and four $ 75,000 stakes.
Last year’s SF Mile was one of the races that Kiwi’s Dream almost won, and it would have given Trujillo the first win of his career with tiered stakes.
“When a horse gives you the best of what it has, you can’t get too upset about it,” said Trujillo. “You ask for their best and if they give you what they have, that’s all you can ask for. It’s an unfortunate situation. “
Kiwi’s Dream, 5-1 on the morning line, faces a potentially problematic situation in Saturday’s grass race as he pulled the rails and beat leaders Whisper Not (3-1 favorite), Diamond Blitz (30-1) and Brown Storm has (9-2) to the outside.
Whisper Not, who won a quick approval race in Santa Anita on March 6, and Diamond Blitz, in particular, who stand out from the humble claims, appear to be faster than Kiwi’s dream in particular.
“When you run for that kind of money, you know you have some pretty horses to face,” said Trujillo. “I’m not 100% sure what type of trip he’ll get, but you don’t change the style if it’s well done. Taking a horse out of its own rhythm is never a good idea. “
Kiwi’s Dream recovered from the pace in a sprint win on Jan. 4, 2020 on its first start under Trujillo’s training, but it has been in the lead by a mile or more in all seven of its races.
“We’ve never seen him track the pace in a track race,” said Trujillo.
The other four horses in Saturday’s race are from observers who would benefit from a fast, competitive pace. Notable among them are the Class 1 winners, Keeper of the Stars, a mare who is competing against men for the first time, and 10-year-old Ohio veteran – both 6-1 in the morning. Border Town (7-2) and Restrainedvengence (6-1) complete the field.
Larry Stumes is a freelance writer.
