While a lot of people like to predict the outcomes of horseracing, the people with the best idea about a horse’s performance are their trainers. However, while Michael Yates would have been confident about his horse putting up a good fight, even he wouldn’t have expected a win with a margin of 2 ¼ lengths when he sent his Florida-bred Dean Delivers onto the track of the Grade 3 Smile Sprint. Despite not having the best start, Dean Delivers delivered the best performance out of all the other horses at the race.

Currently valued at $431,060, Dean Delivers successfully won the $100,000 race. This was Dean Delivers’ second victory of the year which was preceded by another grand victory at the Big Drama Stakes.

The Big Run and The Drama That Followed

While in South Florida in the year 2022-23, Dean Delivers showcased his brilliance at the Gulfstream Park championship meet. He fared amazingly well against the best older handicap horses in that matchup. The fast and efficient Dean Delivers received a breath of fresh air at the Big Drama Stakes worth $65,000, where he secured his first victory of 2023. 

After securing the first position in the Big Drama Stakes, Yates showed confidence in Dean Delivers. He said he would consult with the respective owners and chalk out a well-developed season plan for the rising prospect. Yates had hinted back then that they might prefer local races like the Smile rather than shipping Dean Delivers elsewhere. The fabulous victory of this four-year-old son of Cajun Breeze definitely proved to everyone that Yates and Dean Delivers mean business.

The Road Ahead For Dean Delivers

Dean’s victory at the Smile has definitely given him a solid edge to participate in the upcoming Breeder’s Cup. As a matter of fact, the Grade 3 event of Smile acts in collaboration with the Breeders’ Cup and its racing event named Dirt Dozen. According to their partnership, a victory at the Smile lands the winner a bonus that can be utilized for the Breeders’ Cup’s pre-entry and entry fees. Since Yates’ confident prediction proved to be true last time, the obvious question of competing at the Breeder’s Cup with Dean Delivers was thrown at him. Yates did not give a clear answer, but he did say that the idea is in consideration and the decision-making will involve the say of all respected stakeholders.

ALSO READ – Dean Delivers Earns Smile Sprint Victory

Dean Delivers has appeared in a total of five races this year and has won two of them while coming in second, third, and fourth places in the other races. Can the equestrian world expect an indomitable dirt track champion in Dean Delivers in the coming years?

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