Souper Survivor could get challenge as Frost King favorite
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Souper Survivor should go favored over the unbeaten geldings Magical Trickster and Marvellous Marvin in Sunday’s $150,000 Frost King, one of two seven-furlong stakes for Ontario-sired juveniles on the Woodbine card, along with the South Ocean for fillies.
Trained by Bill Tharrenos, Souper Survivor romped in his July 12 debut, scoring by 10 1/4 lengths with a 73 Beyer Speed Figure. Sent off as the even-money favorite in the Aug. 30 Simcoe Stakes, he finished a flat third after a three-wide stalking trip in the $300,000 event for graduates of Canadian yearling sales.
Souper Survivor reverted to a front-running style most recently in another 6 1/2-furlong restricted stakes, the Bull Page, winning easily with a 71 Beyer under Emma-Jayne Wilson.
“He’s a smart individual,” Tharrenos said. “He just wasn’t quite right in the Simcoe. He’s really maturing into himself right now.”
Magical Trickster came wide from fourth to land his Sept. 13 debut versus Ontario-sired and $40,000 maidens, earning a 67 Beyer in the 5 1/2-furlong dash. The son of freshman sire Collusion Illusion has since worked twice for trainer Julia Carey. She has lined up Pietro Moran to replace Wilson, who is sticking with Souper Survivor.
Marvellous Marvin could vie for the lead with Souper Survivor. Another son of the late Souper Speedy, Marvellous Marvin fought for the lead before edging away late to beat open maiden-special rivals when debuting in a five-furlong inner turf dash Sept. 10. Fraser Aebly will ride him again for trainer Darwin Banach.
Among a field of six, Tharrenos also entered Signature Winner, a second-out maiden winner going seven furlongs Oct. 1. Tharrenos predicted a strong finish from the son of Signature Red.
“The distance might suit him better than anybody,” Tharrenos said. “He’s got that big, long stride to him, and I’m excited to watch what’s going to happen in that last eighth of a mile.”
South Ocean
Stunningly Perfect will try to prove her 7-1 victory in the Sept. 13 Victorian Queen Stakes was legitimate in the $150,000 South Ocean.
Sarayu was the 1-2 favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong Victorian Queen, during which she ducked into the gap while leaving the chute and unseated Pietro Moran. Stunningly Perfect rallied from third to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths with a 69 Beyer.
Sarayu has since worked three times for trainer Jamie Begg. She should be dangerous if she runs back to her wide fourth two back in the Catch a Glimpse on the main turf.
Stunningly Perfect, who is eyeing her third win in a row, breezed a quick half-mile in 47.60 seconds on Oct. 9 for trainer Steve Chircop.
The seven-horse field also includes Champagne Sunday and Tea Biscuit.
Champagne Sunday faded late to fourth in the Victorian Queen after hitting the front in midstretch. The flashy chestnut has since worked nicely for trainer Dave Cotey.
Tea Biscuit rallied four wide from fourth to land her Sept. 5 debut in a 6 1/2-furlong Ontario-sired maiden event. Lasix is added to her by trainer Rachel Halden.
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