Souper Hot looks to end lengthy win drought in Thursday allowance
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Souper Hot is an enigma. A stakes winner in restricted company more than two years ago at 3, he hasn’t found the mark in 15 starts since.
Souper Hot will take another crack at the nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired allowance condition in Thursday’s Woodbine headliner, a five-furlong dash on the inner turf.
Souper Hot’s victory in the 2019 Bold Ruckus Stakes came over six furlongs on the main turf. Last year, he filled out the exacta in 4 of 7 outings, which included a nose loss in a five-furlong Tapeta sprint in November. He also finished a close second in his lone five-furlong inner-turf try last year.
Souper Hot battled four wide on the turn with three rivals before checking in fourth in a deceptively good performance in his season debut on the Tapeta. His last race on the main course was a disappointing third as the favorite.
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Rafael Hernandez will ride Souper Hot again for trainer Mike Mattine.
Four Aces High appears to be cycling up to a peak performance. After ending up sixth in his comeback on the main track, he was squeezed at the break and got stuck in traffic before rallying for second over six furlongs on the main course July 17. He finished second and fifth in his two inner-turf excursions.
Emma-Jayne Wilson retains the mount on Four Aces High for trainer Jim Smith.
Rockcrest could get the better of Red Frog in the projected front-end battle.
Rockcrest is winless since his juvenile campaign in 2019, during which he captured the rich Simcoe Stakes for graduates of local yearling sales. He was softened up in a speed duel in both of his appearances at this stand, most recently when finishing fifth behind Four Aces High and Souper Hot on July 17.
ed Frog failed to flash his customary foot on July 17 and came up empty after a stalking trip on the outside. He was previously second in the opening leg of the Woodbine Turf Sprint Series, a glorified starter handicap.
Victor’s Dynasty is dropping off a non-threatening sixth in a first-level allowance traveling five-eighths on the inner course and will compete with a $40,000 claiming price. He finished first in two $25,000 conditioned claimers last year, but was disqualified from purse money in the second of those races versus nonwinners-of-three opposition.
Completing the field are the Dominic Polsinelli-trained longshots Yzerman and Whiskey Victor, who is adding blinkers to his equipment.
◗ The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover is $32,390, and the Jackpot Power Pick 6 carryover is $24,103 heading into Thursday’s program.