A pair of victories; many similarities

The similarities between Oh Donna’s score in the third race at Belmont Park yesterday, and Dream Astray’s in the ninth race at Monmouth Park, were somewhat on the eerie side.

(1) Oh Donna is by Pleasant Acres stallion Bucchero; Dream Astray is by Pleasant Acres stallion Gone Astray.

(2) Oh Donna broke her maiden at the Meadowlands on Oct. 21 of 2022, and hadn’t raced since, a span of eight months. Dream Astray broke his maiden on Sept. 30 of 2022 at the Meadowlands, and hadn’t raced since, a span of 8 1/2 months. So both are now on two-race winning streaks, however far apart.

(3) Oh Donna broke through the gate, then went wire-to-wire in a seven-furlong race that went in 1:26.92, winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Dream Astray went wire-to-wire in a race at 1 1/16 miles on the grass that went in 1:43.24, winning by 3 3/4 lengths.

(4) Oh Donna earned a check for $15,400; Dream Astray earned $14,400.

Non-similar facts: Oh Donna is a 3-year-old filly bred by Edward R. Schuster in Florida – she paid $6.40 and was claimed. Dream Astray is a 5-year-old gelding bred by Kenneth D’Oyen in California – he paid $15.20 and wasn’t claimed.