Nootka Sound has first stakes win in Soaring Softly

Nootka Sound became a stakes winner on Saturday at Belmont Park, where she jumped out to the lead in the Grade 3, $98,000 Soaring Softly and never relinquished it for a four-length win over Elevenses.

It was another 9 3/4 lengths back to Strategic Dreams in third.

The Soaring Softly, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, was originally scheduled for the Widener turf but was moved to the main track due to wet weather. It was contested on a sloppy, sealed surface.

Nootka Sound ($10.40) broke sharply and took the field through an opening quarter in 22.61 seconds, pushed along by Elevenses. Nootka Sound continued on through a half-mile in 45.75 seconds, with Elevenses still in pursuit. In the stretch, Nootka began to move away from that rival and went on to cover the distance in 1:24.59.

Dylan Davis was aboard for trainer Wesley Ward.

“It didn't matter if it was turf or dirt today,” Davis told the media department at Belmont. “I felt like she was going to handle the surface anyway. When she came out of the gate she knew what she had to do. She settled pretty nice for me and didn't mind the horse just to her outside, and she knew what she had to do turning for home. She picked up another gear and got it done.”

Nootka Sound is a daughter of Lonhro who races for Hat Creek Racing. She earned $60,000 for the win, which was her third from five career starts. She has now earned $148,400.