A shortened South Ocean Stakes fits Sunsprite just fine

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Saturday’s $100,000 South Ocean Stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine was shortened this year from 1 1/16 miles to 6 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta, which worked out well for the Kevin Attard-trained sprinter Sunsprite.

Sunsprite won her debut on the lead in a five-furlong Ontario-sired maiden special for 2-year-old fillies Sept. 3. Moved out to 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner turf in the restricted Victorian Queen Stakes on Sept. 27, she led until late stretch before ending up second to Il Malocchio.

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Sunsprite romped as the heavy favorite when she cut back to five-eighths on the inner turf in a first-level allowance Oct. 17. The 70 Beyer Speed Figure she earned matched the number that she got in her debut.

“The distance was a question mark in that 7 1/2-furlong race, but I thought she hung in tough and ran really well,” Attard said. “But in her last race, it was nice to see her sit off the pace a bit. She switched leads on time for the first time in any of her races. She looked pretty impressive.”

Leading rider Justin Stein retains the mount on Sunsprite, a daughter of leading Ontario freshman sire Reload. She’s owned by her breeder, Denny Andrews, and Niall Brennan.

The 10-horse field also includes Silent Sparkle and Speedy Lynn. Both have earned a Beyer of at least 70.

Silent Sparkle finished up the track behind Sunsprite in her first start Sept. 3. Trainer Nick Gonzalez dropped the Stronach Stable runner down to $25,000 on Oct. 25, and she shrugged off the other speed en route to a 3 1/2-length score going six furlongs.

Speedy Lynn finished second in both of her outings, both against Ontario-sired maiden special rivals under Sahin Civaci, most recently as the favorite. Her trainer, Marty Drexler, sent out Il Malocchio to win the Victorian Queen and run second in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

Dejas Too is turning back off a second-out maiden victory going 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner turf. Patrick Husbands will ride her again for trainer Josie Carroll.

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Jilli Marie overcame traffic problems to land her Oct. 3 debut at six furlongs by a length over Meet the Soprano. Both are in the South Ocean lineup.

Meet the Soprano pressed the pace en route to a gutsy maiden win going 5 1/2 furlongs as the 4-5 favorite Oct. 22.

Red Equinox came from a stalking position to beat Speedy Lynn when graduating over six furlongs at first asking Oct. 8.

After a slow start, Gizmo’s B F F landed her 5 1/2-furlong opener against $25,000 maidens. She’s coming off a belated third in Sunsprite’s allowance triumph.