Alysse Jacobs Photo

Strategic Dreams gets perfect trip in Ruthless

by Najja Thompson

 Sent off as the 4-5 post time favorite, Strategic Dreams came from off the pace to capture the $100,000 Ruthless for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Breaking from post position 6 over a sloppy and sealed main track with Manny Franco aboard, Strategic Dreams was last early in the field of six. Danyelli and Paranoia battled up front with the former setting fractions of 22.90 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.93 for the half.

Strategic Dreams began to make her winning move at the three-eighths pole, Strategic Dreams was guided four-wide wide and sweeping to the front at the quarter pole. Brushing away a challenge from Blushing Justine in the upper stretch, Strategic Dreams extended away to the wire 3 ½ lengths in front.

She completed the seven-furlong distance in a final time of 1:27.02.

"I followed the instructions," said Franco. "Rudy told me don't be too aggressive early, just let her settle, and that's what we did. And then she came running when I asked her."

"I think she is a nice filly," he added. "She has a good future. I am so thankful they give me the opportunity to ride her. And we got it done. [Rudy] told me she will run on anything. Anywhere."

Returning $3.90 for a $2 win wager, the Archarcharch filly earned her first stakes victory in her sixth career start boosting her career earnings to $180,200 for owners Pick Six Racing, Ian Behar and Theresa Cotron.

"She is a versatile filly and lets you do what you want," said winning trainer Rudy Rodriguez. "She can go on the lead, she can take it back, nothing matters to her. She keeps grinding and just does the job."

Following Blushing Justine in second was Danyelli, Paranoia, Wall of Compassion and Dream Fever.