Souper Escape proves best in Christiana Stakes

Souper Escape proved strongest in the stretch of the $50,000 Christiana Stakes at Delaware Park on Wednesday, turning back a determined Pat’s No Fool and pulling away to score by three lengths in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies.

The Christiana had originally been scheduled for turf but was moved to the main track following morning rain. The surface change cost the 10-horse field four of its entrants – morning-line favorite Karam, second choice La Feve, 9-2 Ionic, and 6-1 Gardenista.

Souper Escape broke running inside of Dangerous Curves but inherited an easy lead when Dangerous Curves lugged out on the first turn. When Dangerous Curves moved up to challenge again on the backstretch, Souper Escape relaxed nicely for jockey Julian Pimentel, dropping back maybe a length while holding her inside position.

Following six furlongs in 1:12.09, Dangerous Curves was taken on by Souper Escape and a three-wide Pat’s No Fool.

As Dangerous Curves retreated, Souper Escape and Pat’s No Fool came into the stretch as a team, with Souper Escape proving strongest in the final furlong.

Pat’s No Fool held second by 2 1/2 lengths over an even-running Ebullient. It was another 8 3/4 lengths back to Zonda in fourth.

Mercilla, the 2-1 favorite, was reluctant to load into the gate and never got involved, finishing fifth.

Souper Escape, a Live Oak Plantation homebred by Medaglia d’Oro, paid $8.20 as the third betting choice. She was timed in 1:46.07.

“We broke sharp, and she was very comfortable,” Pimentel said. “When the horse outside of us applied a little pressure on us, I let her go out a little bit. When it was time to go, she responded positively.”

Souper Escape is now 3 for 7. She had made three of her four prior starts on turf.