Dream Serena proved all business, sealing a perfect afternoon for Nico Martín Ferro and Kevin Banegas

Trainer and jockey completed their stakes double as the Forge filly scored over 1400 meters in the Melgarejo

Racing wide, Dream Serena swept past Lessons of Life and Amonet / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Nicolás Martín Ferro and Kevin Banegas delivered another flawless afternoon at San Isidro, completing a stakes double that showcased the strength of both trainer and jockey. They opened their personal sweep with El Gazpacho(Bodemeister) in the Urbano de Iriondo (L), and closed it with the meaningful and well-earned victory of the ever-game Dream Serena in the Melgarejo (L), also run over 1400 meters on the demanding heavy turf diagonal.

It is hardly surprising to see the pair shine at this level. Martín Ferro leads the trainers’ standings with a barn overflowing with talent, and his horsemanship continues to extract the very best from each of his runners. Banegas, meanwhile, has been in top form for months and is now working to overtake Brazilian rider Francisco Leandro—who left for Dubai and also lost time due to injury—at the top of the jockey rankings. He is on track to accomplish that goal.

For Dream Serena, this was the breakthrough she had been seeking, confirming her strong form following a refreshing layoff—an ideal reset for a mare on the smaller side (she weighed 436 kilos this time). She entered off a valuable runner-up finish in Palermo’s The Japan Racing Association (L), where she was narrowly beaten by 3-year-old Stormy Summer (Nicholas) while giving away significant weight.

This time, again spotting weight to the younger fillies, she proved strongest late, outfinishing Lessons of Life (Le Blues) and Amonet (Mask)—the two main betting choices—by a half-length and a neck. Her final time, 1:24.21, was just .21 slower than the mark set earlier by El Gazpacho.

The daughter of Forge has been racing a bit closer to the pace recently, and that adjustment has sharpened her late kick, leaving her with less ground to make up than in earlier performances. She had been sending the right signals—now she delivered on them.

Racing for Stud Quereuquén and bred by Haras Chenaut, Dream Serena is a half-sister to G3 winner Elveda(Manipulator)—who was also trained by Martín Ferro—and to listed-placed Zensational Dream (Zensational). Their dam, Irish Dream (Orientate), is responsible for all of them.

A perfect day, then, for trainer and jockey in the north, with Dream Serena earning her first stakes victory. Smiles all around.