Angelica Zapata justifies support as Soaring Softly favorite

Angelica Zapata was prompt as a popular favorite Saturday when capturing the $75,000 Soaring Softly Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

With Santiago Gonzalez riding, Angelica Zapata returned $3.80 as a solid favorite after finishing the one-mile distance in 1:34.33 over a firm turf course. E B Ryder, the 3-1 second choice, finished second, with Flower Mart third and Dreamlicious fourth.

Owned by her co-breeder, Herman Van den Broeck, Angelica Zapata now has won 11 of 29 starts, with her earnings surpassing the $550,000 mark. She was coming off a four-length score in June in the Nancy’s Glitter at Calder, where the 6-year-old Kentucky-bred mare is based with trainer Ron Pelligrini.

Flower Mart also ran a big race, as she recovered admirably after nearly falling at the quarter pole when clipping heels behind Dreamlicious.

Just one filly, Quinnkat, was scratched as a main-track only, leaving a field of 10.

The $2 exacta (10-7) paid $12.40, the $1 trifecta (10-7-1) returned $34.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (10-7-1-2) was worth $22.70.