(October 16, 2004)- Chicago-based invader Nicole's Dream out-kicked Leslie Love nearly every step of the way to win Saturday's $50,000 Wild Flower Stakes by three-quarters of a length in front of 5,829 fans at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Ridden by Eddie Martin Jr., Nicole's Dream ran five furlongs on turf in :56.09 - a half second off the 1997 course record set by Caro's Royalty (:55.60).

Nicole's Dream, a 4-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Northern Trend, won for the 15th time in 31 career starts. It was her fourth win in nine starts this year. In late April, she prevailed in the $117,000 Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The $30,000 winner's share of the purse boosted her career earnings to $361,804 for owners Dare To Dream Stable and trainer Larry Rivelli.

Leslie's Love, the 2-1 second betting choice, broke on top, but Nicole's Dream was quickly hustled to the front by Martin. The two never changed positions throughout the five-furlong affair, as they clicked off fractions of :21.71 and :44.02.

"She cleared really quick," said Martin, who tied Corey Lanerie for most career stakes wins by a jockey at Lone Star with 22 (15 in the last two years). "My filly's a little bit better than Leslie's Love. I was on the better horse."

Said Gerard Melancon, the rider aboard Leslie's Love: "Really, I got outrun. That was a runnin' son of a gun that beat me."

Nicole's Dream paid $8.60, $4.80 and $3.40. Leslie's Love returned $4 and $3.40. Longshot Seneca Song got up for third and paid $10.60 to show.

Timeless Dancer, Big Score, Royal Liverpool, Comalagold, Read Me My Rights, Mesa Beauty, 9-5 favorite Anna Em, Princess Edwina and Sea Bloom completed the order of finish.

"I had no excuse," Anna Em's pilot Lonnie Meche said. "She didn't leave there pushing off like she should have and like she usually does. I thought this filly was going to be tough here with the speed she's got. The other two kept going."

Live racing at Lone Star Park - home of the 21st Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on Saturday, Oct. 30 - continues Sunday with a nine-race program that begins at 1:35 p.m.