Southern Ring jumps to stakes company in Ruling Angel

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Southern Ring will try to notch her stakes debut Saturday at Woodbine in the $100,000 Ruling Angel, a 6 1/2-furlong overnight event for 3-year-old fillies.

Southern Ring was bred and is owned by Sam-Son Farm, which bred and campaigned Ruling Angel, the 1986 Canadian Horse of the Year.

Southern Ring clashed with another fast-working first-timer, Elusive Collection, when debuting Aug. 9. She rallied from fourth to finish second to Elusive Collection, who went on to capture the Etobicoke Stakes in her next start. Southern Ring earned a big 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

Southern Ring went on to graduate in a romp Sept. 18, leading all the way in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race on turf.

“She was impressive on the grass,” said trainer Malcolm Pierce. “We usually try to run back in an [allowance]. The perfect race for her is Oct. 30 on the grass, but I’m guessing that we might be in trouble for grass at that point.”

Southern Ring’s debut came on the Polytrack, and Pierce believes she’s equally adept on either surface. He said she’s trained solidly of late, including a half-mile breeze in 48.60 seconds on Oct. 9.

KEY CONTENDERS

Southern Ring (Beyers: 88-95)

◗ Pierce said the beautifully bred daughter of Speightstown was promising all along.

“She had trained like she was a good horse,” Pierce said. “She showed some spectacular works in the morning. I thought she’d win first time out.”

Hidden to Win (Last 3 Beyers: 75-71-75)

◗ She has won 4 of 7 outings this year, including each of her last three starts, all in allowance or optional-claiming company. Like Southern Ring, she’s an Ontario-bred and therefore runs for additional purse money of $20,000.

“She’s had a real good year,” said trainer Mike De Paulo. “She’s an improving horse. She was a little dingy at first, but she’s pretty uncomplicated now. She’s gotten more mature and is going the right way. This is a big step up, but I’d rather run her for $120,000 against 3-year-olds, where you have a chance for some black type, than in a two-other-than.”

Itwontgobad (Last 3 Beyers: 86-80-80)

◗ The daughter of leading second-crop sire Munnings defeated older opponents in a recent second-level optional claimer on grass and is a capable Polytrack runner.

Ancient Goddess (Last 3 Beyers: 79-69-74)

◗ The New York invader has missed the board in a pair of turf stakes since winning the Star Shoot Stakes here in April.

Green Doctor (Last 3 Beyers: 69-57-80)

◗ The 2014 Fanfreluche Stakes winner is adding blinkers and Lasix off a fading fifth in the six-furlong Etobicoke.