Pursuing the Dream, a minor stakes winner in France last August, will have first start in the United States, and for trainer Jim Cassidy, in Friday's fifth race, an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option on the hillside turf course.

Purchased for approximately $230,000 at auction in England last December, Pursuing the Dream (5) is an 8-1 chance with 18 minutes to post. The optional claimer will be Pursuing the Dream's first start since an eighth of 12 in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Newmarket, England last October.

Pursuing the Dream won the Prix de la Valee d'Auge at five furlongs on firm turf at Deauville, France, last August, her only victory in a busy nine-race campaign.

In England last year, Pursuing the Dream had several erratic starts, making jockey Drayden Van Dyke's task even more important in this race.