Live in the Dream is Breeders’ Cup bound after Nunthorpe shocker

Trainer Adam West now has Breeders’ Cup plans after Live in the Dream rocketed to the front and kept going to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday at York, England. The long shot held off last year’s winner Highfield Princess in the five-furlong race.

The race offered an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint to the winner, and West told Racing TV that he plans to send Live in the Dream. "I think he’s 10 pounds better on a turning track," West said. "That’s a big statement, but he gets that position, and he can get a breather. On these straight courses, he doesn’t get a breather."

Live in the Dream bounced out to the lead on the far side, quickly clear of the rest of the 16-horse field. Highfield Princess tracked in range near the front of the far-side group. Big Evs, the lone 2-year-old in the field, led the near-side group.

In the final quarter-mile Big Evs began to weaken but Highfield Princess stayed on to chase the pacesetter, running inside of the rallying Bradsell. But, defying his washy appearance, Live in the Dream had plenty left to give jockey Sean Kirrane. He held to win by a length over the favorite, and stopped the timer in 56.87 seconds for five furlongs on good to firm turf.

Highfield Princess crossed the wire second by three-quarters of a length over Bradsell, who outfinished Makarova by a half-length. Regional, Equality, Khaadem, Get Ahead, Nymphadora, Twilight Calls, Queen Me, Ladies Church, Dramatised, Big Evs, Tees Spirit and Aesop's Fables completed the order of finish.

Live In the Dream was a 28-1 starting price from European bookmakers, and paid $83.50 to win in the World Pool pari-mutuel betting. Highfield Princess, the beaten favorite, went off at a 7-5 starting price and even-money in the world pool.

"I can’t believe it," trainer Adam West told Racing TV, his voice shaking with emotion. "I’m just so grateful. This is amazing. Everything happens for a reason. We didn't get good luck at Deauville, and we swerved America to come here. And, looks like he's going out there now with a ticket." West had considered running Live in the Dream in the Green Flash (G3) on Sept. 2 at Del Mar, another Breeders' Cup challenge series race, but decided against it due to shipping costs.

Live in the Dream is a 4-year-old gelding by Prince of Lir out of the New Approach mare Approaching Autumn. He is owned by Steve and Jolene De’Lemos. His record now stands at 18: 6-2-2 with career earnings of $538,881.

His win in the Nunthorpe was his first at the group level. It came in his second start off a layoff of almost two and a half months. In his previous start, Live in the Dream ran fourth as the 7-5 favorite inthe listed Prix du Cercle on Aug. 6 at Deauville. He set the pace in that five-furlong race but fell short by a length after failing to stay over very soft ground.