Arlington: Souris is Top Flight

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - For a filly who doesn't tip her hand in the morning, Souris is pretty darn good in the afternoon. A 14-1 winner in her career debut, Souris made it 2 for 2 with a convincing win in the $75,000 Top Flight Stakes at Arlington.

Trainer Steve Asmussen took his best young horses to Saratoga, but Souris stayed at Arlington. Asmussen said Souris had never distinguished herself in her morning breezes, and he was somewhat surprised when she cruised to an easy win over the talented Caucus when she made the races here Aug. 1.

The win was no fluke. With jockey Robby Albarado subbing for Corey Lanerie, who rode a stakes in Delaware, Souris went up along the rail to engage early leader You Glitter Girl about a furlong into the race. The pair set a moderate pace, 22.64 seconds for a quarter-mile, 46.12 for a half, with favored Christmas Time stalking them on the outside. Turning for home, Albarado asked Souris to run and she opened a clear lead on You Glitter Girl, then had plenty left to hold off Christmas Time.

"My initial plan wasn't to be up there that close, but she was well within herself," Albarado said. "I rode her with the utmost confidence."

Souris won by two lengths, with Christmas Time eight lengths clear of You Glitter Girl. A Defrere filly owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt, Souris paid $4.80 to win while running six furlongs in 1:11.08.