Summer Sunday steps up to Nandi Stakes off impressive debut

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Summer Sunday was a dominant five-length winner in her career debut July 15 and will seek her first stakes win in Sunday’s $125,000 Nandi Stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies over 5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Summer Sunday was the joint sales-topper at $95,000 at last September’s Canadian Premier Yearling Sale at Woodbine. Trainer Stu Simon, who purchased the filly for owners Anne and William Scott, said he thinks Summer Sunday has a bright future.

“She’s a nice, quality filly,” he said. “I think we certainly haven’t seen the best of her. I don’t think she’ll have to worry about being a restricted horse.”

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Summer Sunday won her maiden against open company in that 5 1/2-furlong sprint, earning a 64 Beyer Speed Figure. Simon said he thinks the filly eventually can stretch out effectively.

“I don’t even consider her as a sprinter, to be honest,” he said. “I think she’ll get a mile no problem, and I think she’ll turf, too. I don’t think she’ll have any trouble getting two turns at all.”

Key Contenders

Summer Sunday, by Silent Name
Beyer: 64

◗ Summer Sunday is the third foal to race out of the Millennium Allstar mare Dancing Allstar. Summer Sunday’s half-sister Trini Brewnette also won her debut and was a stakes winner at age 2, taking the South Ocean Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Woodbine’s old Polytrack.

She’s the Berries, by Badge of Silver
Beyer: 65

◗ She was the runner-up in her debut over 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt at Belmont Park, earning the top last-out Beyer in this field.

◗ She’ll make her first start on Tapeta for former Woodbine trainer Brian Lynch, who will have his first starter here since October.

Dirty Girl, by Giant Gizmo
Beyer: 53

◗ She’s one of three debut winners in the field, having overcome a slow start to win going five furlongs on July 7.

◗ She was among the top hips at last September’s yearling sale, bringing $70,000 from trainer Mike De Paulo and owner Le Amici Racing Stable.

Midnight Strider, by Town Prize
Beyer: 43

◗ She’ll make her first start since May 19, when she captured the first 2-year-old race of the meet over 4 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta. She’s been working quickly in recent weeks for trainer Darwin Banach and could be the speed of the race from the rail.

Miss Danielle, by Old Forester
Beyer: 53

◗ She’s another filly who could contest the early pace after fading to fourth in her debut in the Shady Well Stakes on July 23.