Souper Colossal comes through in Texas Glitter

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Souper Colossal got a perfect prep for the Swale Stakes, rolling to victory in the $75,000 Texas Glitter Stakes, the first of six Saturday stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Always in striking position under Joel Rosario, Souper Colossal straightened for home and then pounced to the lead in the five-furlong turf race, finishing in 55.95 seconds over a firm course. He returned $4 as favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds.

Moon River rallied up the fence to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner and a nose before Nun the Less.

Owned by the Live Oak Plantation of Charlotte Webber, Souper Colossal was making his first start since finishing a tired seventh in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. The Texas Glitter was his first race over turf. Souper Colossal, a Kentucky-bred colt by War Front, racked up three straight wins over the Monmouth Park dirt to open his career, including wins in the Tyro and Sapling.

“Everything went the way we hoped today,” said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. “Assuming all goes well, we’ll run back in the Swale.”

The Grade 2, $200,000 Swale, a seven-furlong dirt race, will be run Feb. 28.

The $2 exacta (8-2) paid $35.40, the $1 trifecta (8-2-1) returned $58.70, and the 10-cent superfecta (8-2-1-6) was worth $41.17.