Silent Sonet gets class relief in Ballade Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Silent Sonet will get class relief when she returns to restricted company for Sunday’s $100,000 Ballade Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for older Ontario-sired fillies and mares on Woodbine’s Tapeta.

Silent Sonet was fifth in her seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes here April 28. She stalked the pace in that event, and was steadied in the stretch as the winner Let It Ride Mom and runner-up Moonlit Promise made their bids for the lead. Despite the fifth-place finish, trainer Nick Gonzalez said he was pleased with Silent Sonet’s first race of the year.

“I was happy with it,” he said. “It was a tough race. The best part of it was we scoped her and she came out of the race fine. We’re happy with where we are with her.”

Silent Sonet won three of her six starts as a 3-year-old last season, which included a stakes victory on turf in the restricted La Prevoyante Stakes. She also placed in the Passing Mood Stakes on Tapeta, and Gonzalez said he was hopeful Silent Sonet could earn more black type in the Ballade.

“We’re looking to get a little more black type with her. She’s really grown up a lot and matured from 3 to 4,” he said. “Six furlongs is going to be a good distance for her. We’re looking forward to running her back against restricted company.”

Key Contenders

Silent Sonet, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-84

◗ Eurico Da Silva will be back aboard Silent Sonet in the Ballade, replacing Luis Contreras. Da Silva rode Silent Sonet to her stakes win in the La Prevoyante last season.

Scotty’s Model, by Mr. Scotty

Last 3 Beyers: 83-77-54

◗ Scotty’s Model also exits the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes to run against restricted company in the Ballade. She sat in midpack in the early running before going on to finish a closing third after a wide rally.

◗ The 8-year-old mare ran in the Ballade in 2016, finishing third behind Canadian champion River Maid and She’s Explosive.

Code Warrior, by Society’s Chairman
Last 3 Beyers: 72-87-82

◗ She finished third, beaten just three-quarters of a length, in this event last year before going on to win the Grade 3 Hendrie Stakes in her next start. Now with trainer Mike De Paulo, Code Warrior recorded two starts at Gulfstream Park in January that included a win in the Abundantia Stakes over five furlongs on turf.

Listenlindalisten, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 69-75-79

◗ She should have a say in the early pace after recording front-running scores in both the Passing Mood Stakes over seven furlongs and the Eternal Search Stakes over 1 1/16 miles last season. She’ll be making her first start since September, but has been working quickly for this event.

◗ Patrick Husbands is the listed rider for both Listenlindalisten and West L. A. Girl, who was supplemented.