Cindervella sweeps past field in South Ocean Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Cindervella graduated in style at Woodbine on Saturday, winning the $125,000 South Ocean Stakes in dramatic fashion under Eurico Da Silva.

Cindervella ($7.80) bided her time in seventh on the backstretch in the 1 1/16-mile route. After going three wide on the far turn, she began to mount a wider rally at the head of the stretch, and then swept by a host of runners to prevail by a half-length, in a final time of 1:44.81.

Crumlin Queen closed along the inside to nose out even-money favorite Princess Bullet for second. The pacemaker, Evil Woman, finished another nose back in fourth in the eight-horse field of Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.

Mike DePaulo trains Cindervella. He teamed with Da Silva to take last Saturday’s Grade 3 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing with Noholdingback Bear.

“She ran very well,” Da Silva said. “I was concerned, because she was a little nervous behind the gate. When she broke, she was very aggressive, but she was able to relax. I was just waiting for the green light.”

Cindervella, a daughter of Silent Name, banked $75,000 for owners Frank Annecchini and D’Alimonte Holdings Inc.