Southern Ring scores as favorite in Ruling Angel

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Southern Ring overhauled a game Green Doctor in late stretch to capture the $116,800 Ruling Angel Stakes under Eurico Da Silva at Woodbine on Saturday.

With blinkers on, Green Doctor went right to the front and set fast fractions of 22.11 and 44.40 seconds in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint. Southern Ring ($3.10) stalked in second and then gradually wore down Green Doctor in the stretch, en route to a two-length score, in a 1:16.10. Roaming rallied belatedly for third in the nine-horse field of 3-year-old fillies.

Southern Ring was coming off an easy second-out maiden win in front-running style on grass.

“Last time, she was a bit rank, but she was very relaxed today,” said Da Silva. “She had a horse to aim at, and did a great job. I was very pleased with the way she ran.”

Southern Ring earned $72,000 in her stakes debut. Malcolm Pierce trains her for Sam-Son Farm, which campaigned 1986 Canadian Horse of the Year Ruling Angel.

“She’s just a good filly,” said Pierce. “We had a lot of confidence in her.”