Souper Colossal returns from layoff in Select Stakes

The long-absent Souper Colossal, whose only loss in five career starts came when he stumbled at the start of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and Element, perfect in two starts since he was switched to turf, are the prime contenders among a group of 3-year-olds scheduled to sprint 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in Sunday’s $60,000 Select Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Souper Colossal will be making his first start since winning the five-furlong Texas Glitter at Gulfstream Park more than four months ago. He dominated last summer’s one-mile Sapling on the main track at Monmouth as the even-money favorite.

After running poorly in his first two career races on dirt, Element responded to a surface switch and won back-to-back starts on grass going 7 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream and seven furlongs at Belmont.

The field includes Fast Flying Rumor, who makes his turf debut two starts after a runner-up finish in the $100,000 Tom Ridge on the synthetic Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs, and the maiden Sylven Park, who shows a series of bullet workouts at Keeneland in preparation for his first outing since finishing a close second in his career debut at Gulfstream in March.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Souper Colossal (Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-87)

◗ Aside from the BC Juvenile, where he went off at 10-1, he has been 3-2 or less in his other four starts – all wins.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: On the down side, trainer Eddie Plesa is 1 for 13 over the past five years with turf sprinters at Monmouth returning from a break of 61 to 180 days.

Element (Last 3 Beyers: 86-73-38)

◗ He cuts back to the shortest distance of his career after four races at 6 1/2 furlongs or longer.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Note that over the past five years, trainer Todd Pletcher is 7 for 11 with last-out winners returning in 30 days or less in turf sprints.

Fast Flying Rumor (Last 3 Beyers: 54-73-74)

◗ He held the lead in deep stretch of the six-furlong Tom Ridge, and synthetic form often transfers well to turf.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Gerald Bennett is 7 for 28 (25 percent) over the past five years with horses going from dirt to turf in sprints.

Sylven Park (Beyer: 73)

◗ He ran well fresh sprinting five furlongs at Gulfstream in March and looks ready for his first start since then, based on a trio of fast workouts at Keeneland since late May.