Ryehill Dreamer catches Sidney’s Candy in American

by James Scully

Ryehill Dreamer got up late in the American to record his first U.S. stakes win (Benoit Photos) Marsha Naify’s Ryehill Dreamer closed dramatically to catch Sidney’s Candy (Candy Ride [Arg]) in the final strides of Saturday’s $150,000, Grade 2 American H. at Hollywood Park, earning his first graded stakes win with a nose decision. With Joe Talamo in the saddle, the Julio Canani-trained winner completed a mile on the firm turf in 1:33 2/5. Sidney’s Candy sprinted to a clear lead as expected but wasn’t able to slow the pace down while being chased by Liberian Freighter, establishing fractions of :23 2/5, :46 and 1:09 1/5 before losing by the slimmest of margins. Ryehill Dreamer stalked the pacesetter in third, five lengths back after the opening half-mile, and waited until the stretch to launch a furious rally on the outside. “I was so glad that other horse (Liberian Freighter) went with Sidney’s Candy,” Talamo said. “We thought on paper it would be like that, but you never know until it actually happens. It set up great for him today and Julio (Canani) has done a great job getting him to relax. In his earlier races he would get kind of rank the first part, but he relaxed so nice for me today.”

The five-year-old gelding rewarded his supporters with payoffs of $19.60,
$6.60 and $3.20 as the near 9-1 fourth choice among six rivals.

“That’s the way he likes to run. I think he ran great,” said Joel Rosario of
Sidney’s Candy’s effort. “The horse who won is doing really good, too. I’m not
surprised he beat me. My horse was nice and relaxed and looking around. He just
got a little bit tired the last 25 yards. Next time will be different.”

John Sadler, trainer of the runner-up, wasn’t as diplomatic.

“I think he (Martin Garcia, jockey of Liberian Freighter) was doing the same
thing he did with Conveyance in the Derby and the way he rode against this horse
in the La Jolla,” Sadler said. “He just rides to get you beat if he can’t
win. He doesn’t help his horse win. His horse ran a bad race, so what can you
say.”

It was 4 1/2 lengths back to third-placer The Usual Q.T., who
lacked a closing kick after turning for home, and Leroy’s Dynameaux, Liberian Freighter and Goldwaki came
next under the wire. Norvsky and Smokey Lonesome were
both scratched.

Ryehill Dreamer started his racing career in Europe, winning the Golden
Fleece S. and finishing second in the Group 2 E.B.F. Futurity prior to shipping
to the United States in late 2008. He opened his North American racing career
with a third in the 2009 San Rafael while under the care of trainer John
Shirreffs, but wasn’t seen again under silks for another 21 months, returning
for Canani with a victory over allowance/optional claiming rivals at Hollywood
Park last October. Freshened after a pair of unplaced efforts in the Citation
and San Pasqual, he’s now posted a trio of sharp performances in succession,
rolling to a 4 1/2-length allowance score on March 11 prior to a close second in
the April 24 Inglewood Handicap.

“It took a lot of patience with this horse,” Canani noted. “He has his
issues.”

Ryehill Dreamer has now earned $296,807 from a 12-5-3-1 line. Canani said the
Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on July 2 is likely next.