Lemon Drop Dream takes Count Fleet Sprint, Secret Circle scratched

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hot Springs, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - Lemon Drop Dream, ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., came flying down the stretch to overtake the leaders and win Thursday's $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

Much of the gloss had been taken off the six-furlong stakes when Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Secret Circle was scratched after having been tranquilized for the flight from California.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Lemon Drop Dream was sent off at 7-1 in the five- horse field and settled into fourth up the backstretch. Dueling on the lead was 3-5 favorite Heitai and 5-2 second pick Alsvid.

At the top of the stretch, Alsvid had moved past Heitai for the lead as Lemon Drop Dream came surging down the middle of the track. Lemon Drop Dream caught Alsvid at the wire and posted a neck victory over the local runner.

Apprehender rallied to finish third followed by Picko's Pride and Heitai.

The time for the Count Fleet was 1:09.15 on a fast track.

Owned by Mike McCarty, Lemon Drop Dream won a stakes for the first time and added $180,000 to his earnings. The 4-year-old colt has won four of 10 career starts for $288,130.

Stabled at Fair Grounds during the winter, Lemon Drop Dream was third behind Heitai in the Louisiana track's Duncan F. Kenner Stakes on March 8.

Lemon Drop Dream returned $16.20, $4.80 and $9.80. Alsvid paid $3.60 and $5.40, and Apprehender paid $9.00 to show.