Souper Survivor takes easy victory in Bull Page
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Souper Survivor rebounded off a flat effort in the Simcoe Stakes with a decisive victory in the Bull Page, the first of three $150,000 stakes on Sunday’s Woodbine card.
Souper Survivor ($2.50) made the lead shortly after breaking from the rail and was pressed on the turn by Prince Shaman, who backed up entering the stretch.
Souper Survivor drew off in the stretch to score by 5 1/4 lengths, covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1.17.67 in the sprint for Ontario-sired male 2-year-olds. Longshot Leo finished second for the fifth time in as many starts, and It Wasn’t a Fluff checked in third.
Emma-Jayne Wilson rode Souper Survivor, who was coming off a chalky third in the $300,000 Simcoe for graduates of Canadian yearling sales.
“He is very interesting,” Wilson said. “He’s quiet, for the most part. He’s got the right frame of mind. With 2-year-olds, they’re always developing. That last race, I think he was a little overwhelmed. It was a big field. He was in between. He wasn’t sure what to do, and that’s one of the key things with these racehorses. You can see today that he learned from that and came on again and is a stakes winner now.”
Souper Survivor earned $90,000 for owners Racing Canada Inc. and Natural Eight Stable. Trainer Bill Tharrenos said the son of Souper Speedy had an excuse in the Simcoe.
“We did a little work on him,” Tharrenos explained. “We pulled a blood and it wasn’t so good. Dr. Victoria (Banks) helped us out in a big way and we worked on that. I’m just proud of the little guy.”
*** Stunningly Perfect ($16.10) won the filly equivalent of the Bull Page, the Victorian Queen, which was marred by a spill involving the 1-2 favorite Sarayu.
Sarayu unseated Pietro Moran after shying away from the early leader Awesome Grace. Stunningly Perfect closed from mid-pack under Jose Campos to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths over Princess Orlaith, in a time of 1:17.81. Tweeternity was along for third.
Trained by Steve Chircop, Stunningly Perfect banked $90,000 for Zilli Racing Stables.
*** Fraser Aeby inherited the mount on Elysian Field from Moran in the next race, the $150,000 Belfountain, and won the about-nine-furlong turf event while giving trainer Mark Casse his fourth winner on the card.
Elysian Field ($6.90) rallied from toward the rear of the field to score by 2 3/4 lengths over the wide-closing 18-1 shot Just Magnificent. Fortyfiveseventy weakened to third after a stalking trip in the fast-paced event for Ontario-bred fillies and mares. The final time was 1:46.77.
Moran was reportedly uninjured, to the relief of all involved.
“I’m just glad Pietro’s okay - that’s the main thing,” Aebly said. “I had a quick chance to glance at the form and I rode against her before. They told me she was pretty uncomplicated. She kind of runs her race - just stay out of her way.”
Canada’s champion 3-year-old filly and Woodbine Oaks winner in 2023, Elysian Field banked $90,000 for the partnership of Gary Barber and Team Valor International.
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