by Mike Curry

Audacious Chloe outfinished 2006 champion two-year-old filly Dreaming of Anna by a half-length to win the $76,500 Gaily Gaily Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for three-year-old fillies on Sunday at Gulfstream Park.

Dreaming of Anna, who capped her juvenile campaign with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs, was sent off as the 4-to-5 favorite in the eight-horse field. The Rahy filly, trained by Wayne Catalano for owner-breeder Frank Calabrese, stalked pacesetter Fanlight Fanny from second into the final turn and seized command approaching the lane as stakes winner Audacious Chloe challenged from three wide.

Dreaming of Anna dueled with Audacious Chloe through the stretch before Audacious Chloe gradually inched ahead in the final furlong under jockey John Velasquez to prevail in 1:41.71 over turf rated firm.

Audacious Chloe entered the Gaily Gaily off a four-month layoff dating to a runner-up finish in the JP Morgan Chase Jessamine Stakes on October 26 at Keeneland Race Course. The chestnut More Than Ready filly, trained by Todd Pletcher for owners Team Valor Stables and Never Tell Farm, won two of five starts as a juvenile.

Dreaming of Anna finished third in her seasonal bow on February 10 in the Old Hat Stakes (G3) and returned to the turf, where she was previously unbeaten in two starts, for the Gaily Gaily.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor