Souper Success gets Plate tryout in Queenston

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Souper Success was an upset winner of the Woodstock Stakes on April 27 and will be looking to win his third consecutive start in Sunday’s $125,000 Queenston Stakes for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds over seven furlongs on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Souper Success wasn’t being pointed to run in the Woodstock, but when trainer Michael De Paulo’s original target race, a nonwinners-of-two allowance event going five furlongs, didn’t fill, the connections opted to supplement to the Woodstock.

“I thought he had a shot to hit the board,” De Paulo said. “I was just concerned that we had trained him going five-eighths and had him revved up a little. He only had that one five-eighths going into the race, so I was a little worried he might not be as fit as he needed to be. But I guess he was just good enough.”

All five horses entered in the Queenston are eligible for the $1 million Queen’s Plate on June 29, and De Paulo said the Plate would certainly be under consideration if Souper Success were to turn in another big effort Sunday.

“We’ve nominated him to the Bold Ruckus Stakes [on turf on June 2], but if he decided to run a really big race in the Queenston, we certainly might entertain the thought of running in the Plate,” he said. “We’ll have to see what happens. He’s not a speed-crazy horse where you have to go. He’s pretty cool.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Souper Success, by Souper Speedy
Last 3 Beyers: 80-80-49

◗ Souper Success has now paired 80 Beyer Speed Figures in his last two starts, which include the Woodstock victory and a maiden win over five furlongs as a 2-year-old last November.

Federal Law, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 75-31-75

◗ The Coronation Futurity runner-up will cut back to one turn following a third-place finish to Skywire in the Wando Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on April 28.

My Silencer, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 70-57-59

◗ He set slow fractions before drawing away from the field in an allowance event at this distance May 5. He’s now won both of his starts going seven furlongs on Tapeta, which also includes a victory in his career debut in the Frost King Stakes last October.

Dun Drum, by Bold n’ Flashy
Last 3 Beyers: 65-64-68

◗ He’ll make his 3-year-old debut in this spot following a win in the Kingarvie Stakes over 1 1/16 miles to cap his 2-year-old campaign on Dec. 1.

Corduroy Road, by Souper Speedy
Last 3 Beyers: 75-75-72

◗ He’s been working quickly all spring and finished fourth off the bench behind Souper Success in the Woodstock Stakes. He’ll add blinkers for this start.