Souper Colossal dominates as heavy favorite in Tyro Stakes

OCEANPORT, N.J. – The heavily favored Souper Colossal fended off early pressure and rolled to a 3 3/4-length victory in the off-the-turf $57,600 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at Monmouth Park.

The $350,000 yearling purchase last summer by Live Oak Plantation improved to 2 for 2 for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.

The colt captured his debut here in June in a very professional effort.

He had the rail for his stakes debut and stumbled slightly at the break. He quickly recovered to find plenty of early company as Guderian, Gotcha Blessing, and Reid the News took shots at the leader.

Souper Colossal and jockey Paco Lopez cut the corner smartly and sprinted clear. Secured Position ran on well to get the place spot after launching a four-wide bid on the turn.

“I think he did everything we hoped,” Plesa said. “He did it in a nice fashion. When he left the farm, they told me they thought he could be something special, and he would be early developing. They were right on the mark.”

The outcome certainly was no surprise. Souper Colossal was 1-9 in the first flash and drifted up to 2-5 by post time.

Lopez, the meet’s leading rider, won four more races Sunday.

The track dried throughout the afternoon. Rated sloppy at the start, it was upgraded to fast one race before the Tyro.

The time was 57.75 for the five furlongs.

Reid the News was third, followed by Gottcha Blessin, Running On Wishes, and Guderian.