Sudsy Baby eyes 1st stakes in Debutante

Sudsy Baby will try to become a stakes winner Saturday at Woodbine in the $136,875 Ontario Debutante, a six-furlong event for 2-year-old fillies.

Sudsy Baby, a $40,000 2-year-old purchase by owner Winston Penny, graduated on the front end in her second start and then finished second to unbeaten Wannatalkaboutme in the five-furlong My Dear Stakes. Last time out, she captured a six-furlong allowance by 1 1/4 lengths under regular rider Todd Kabel.

Trainer Stanley Baresich believes Sudsy Baby does only as much as she has to when she competes.

"I don't think she's ever going to be the type of horse who's going to win by seven or eight lengths," Baresich said. "She's smart. As soon as she makes the lead, she has a tendency of waiting for horses."

Baresich said Sudsy Baby has continued to train well, and he anticipates another strong showing from her.

"Kabel told me that she keeps improving every time he sits on her," Baresich said.

The Ontario Debutante has lured a field of seven, including four fillies who won their only start: One Ring, Tasha's Delight, Top Notch Lady, and Truly Blushed.

One Ring, far back early, closed quickly through the stretch along the inside to take a six-furlong maiden special on July 16. Owner-trainer Ron Woods felt an awkward break led to One Ring lagging well off the early pace under Daniel David, Woodbine's most patient rider.

"The horse beside her in the gate tried to flip," Woods recalled. "She reacted by throwing her head up and down."

The starting gate opened just as One Ring's head went up, said Woods, "which is why she came out awkwardly."

"She kept getting farther and farther back," Woods said, because David "never asked her to do anything."

Woods is extremely high on One Ring, whom he paid $20,000 for at a Kentucky yearling sale.

"If she runs to her ability, she will win real easy," he said.

Tasha's Delight rallied to capture a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special on Aug. 7. Her trainer, Mark Casse, also trains Top Notch Lady, who won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special on the grass with determination July 30.

Truly Blushed, based at Fort Erie with trainer Don MacRae, flashed big speed in her debut, and will likely lead the way after breaking from the outside post.