April 7, 2018 | Arcadia, CA – Dare To Dream Stable’s 3 year old filly Spiced Perfection gave her connections a great thrill by winning the $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes in front of 40,000 strong on Santa Anita Derby Day. Spiced Perfection was coming off a 2 1/2 month freshening after a tough, but successful 2 yr old campaign that included a win in the Generous Portion Stakes at Del Mar.

A field of eight Cal Bred fillies were lined up for this 6.5 furlong stake battle with the heavy odds-on favorite Show It N Moe It drawn nicely on the outside, while Spiced Perfection drew the disadvantageous rail. Joe Talamo, the regular rider aboard “Spicy”, would have to make sure she broke sharply and then try to work out a trip from the inside without getting in a compromised position. Fortunately, the small but powerfully built bay daughter of Smiling Tiger broke on cue and Talamo was able to secure a good position on the inside as favored Show It N Moe It and longshot Blessed Lady battled on the lead. While on the backside Talamo looked to have Spiced Perfection in the perfect spot saving all the ground while Show It N Moe It was in a real tussle on the lead with Blessed Lady. That top pair battled through the opening half mile in a snappy 45.48. Talamo continued to track those two foes around the turn while looking to have a ton of horse beneath him. When it was time to go, Talamo slipped Spiced Perfection to the outside to engage Show It N Moe It who had finally put away Blessed Lady. At the top of the stretch, Talamo had “Spicy” right along the outside of the favorite and the stretch battle to the wire was on. Hall Of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard Show It n Moe It and Talamo glanced at one another and both began to vigorously ask their fillies for everything they had. It was back and forth as they battled down the length of stretch with each filly putting her head in front a few times. Eventually, Spiced Perfection proved she had a little more in the tank and was able to out finish the favorite to the wire by a good neck in a thrilling stretch duel. She stopped the clock in a snappy 1:17.08 for the 6 1/2 furlongs. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to the 3rd place finisher, which showed how good both these fillies ran and how they were much the best on this day.

This was Spiced Perfection’s 3rd win in 8 career starts. She also has 3 seconds and 1 third to go along with those victories. The only off-the-board finish in her career came on the turf, a surface she did not seem to care for. The multiple stakes winning filly has now amassed $277,625 in her young career, with hopes of many more victories on the horizon.

Congratulations to all the Dare To Dream Stable Partners, many of whom were a part of the raucous celebration in Santa Anita’s winner’s circle. It was an absolutely outstanding training job by Brian Koriner who had “Spicy” ready to fire at first asking off the layoff which was no easy feat, especially in a tough stake race. Finally, what can you say about jockey “Smokin” Joe Talamo? That was plain and simple a perfect ride that was ridden to script! It’s not easy to out ride Mike Smith, but that’s exactly what Talamo did in this race. Spiced Perfection will now look forward to a long Summer campaign and continued success the rest of the year.

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