Souper Hoity Toity gives Casse fifth consecutive Selene victory
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Souper Hoity Toity and favored Catiche both got hung out very wide on the first turn in Saturday’s Grade 3 Selene Stakes at Woodbine, but they managed to run one-two in the 1 1/16-mile route for 3-year-old fillies, with the former prevailing at 8-1 under Patrick Husbands.
Join the Dance led the way while being tracked by reigning Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Mrs. Barbara and Souper Hoity Toity going down the backstretch. The latter collared Join the Dance at the eighth pole before holding off Catiche, who had closed four-wide in an amazing performance, only to come up three-quarters of a length short.
Mrs. Barbara finished third, and Join the Dance faded to fourth in the seven-horse field, from which Gizala was scratched.
Souper Hoity Toity completed the distance in 1:45.11 in her first start of the year. She gave trainer Mark Casse his fifth consecutive win in the race.
“When we left the gate, (Catiche) missed the break,” Husbands said. “Nobody wanted the lead, and my horse was a little bit rank with me. Everybody had to fight for position on the first turn, and then I turned mine loose. My filly was going so easy down the back.”
Souper Hoity Toity ($18) earned $90,000 of the $150,900 purse for Live Oak Plantation, which paid $550,000 for the daughter of Uncle Mo at a Florida 2-year-old sale last year.