Souper Success a surprise winner in Woodstock Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Longshot Souper Success, a supplement by owner Mickey Demers, came charging in the final furlong to take the $112,200 Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine Saturday.

Souper Success raced about three lengths off the lead in fourth on the turn, as the favored Yes I Am Free led the way, with second-choice Powell in close proximity of a fast pace.

Jesse Campbell angled Souper Success wide in midstretch and they mowed down the leaders late to prevail by a length in a time of 1:09.65 for the six furlongs.

Powell nosed out Yes I Am Free for second, and Corduroy Road checked in fourth in the seven-horse field of 3-year-olds. Keon and Tiz Breathtaking were scratched.

“I didn’t prepare this horse as well as he should have been,” said winning trainer Mike DePaulo. “He was going in a different spot. The race didn’t go. [So then] we were either to run him against older horses, or run for a little more money against straight 3-year-olds. The owner said: 'Let’s go in the stake,' so I have to thank Mick for that decision.”

Souper Success, a son of last year’s leading Canadian freshman sire, Souper Speedy, paid $34.80. He earned $72,000 in his stakes debut, which was his first start since a fast maiden victory Nov. 25.