Summersault can end skid in Soaring Softly

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The horse-for-course angle hasn’t quite worked out this winter for Summersault. Friday, the 6-year-old New York-bred mare will get one more opportunity over the Gulfstream Park turf course she has previously relished when she heads a field of six entered in the $75,000 Soaring Softly Stakes.

Entering this meet, Summersault was 3 for 6 over Gulfstream’s turf course, with all three wins – including the Grade 3 Orchid – coming at the 2016-17 meet.

In two starts at this meet, Summersault finished fourth in the Grade 3 La Prevoyante and sixth in the Grade 3 The Very One.

“She hasn’t worked out very good trips and she also hasn’t had much pace,” trainer Mark Hennig said. “I thought the race Friday looks like it’s finally got some pace in it.”

Hennig also noted that Summersault is “training better now than she has in months.”

“I’m optimistic,” he said. “A little softer spot, too.”

The pace Hennig references could come from Taralena, who breaks from the rail, and Empressof the Nile who breaks from post 5.

Trainer Christophe Clement said this is likely the last start for Taralena before the 5-year-old daughter of Arch is bred later this spring. She is coming off a third-place finish in the La Prevoyante.

“She’s been consistent,” Clement said. “She’s doing well this winter. It’s not an easy race for her, but she’s one of the choices. I will be disappointed not to be very competitive.”

Empressof The Nile was fourth in the The Very One, her first start in 97 days. This will be her first start at 1 3/8 miles.

“That’s a question,” trainer James Bond said of the distance. “A mile and a quarter is probably more her style.”

Bond said perhaps the Gulfstream turf course is the best place to try this distance because “it’s been kinder to speed.”

Shezaprado, Rum Go, and No Sweat complete the field. The Soaring Softly goes as race 9 on an 11-race card. It is the fourth leg of the Rainbow 6 wager, which figures to enter the day with a $4.6 million carryover.

KEY CONTENDERS

Summersault, by Rock Hard Ten
Last 3 Beyers: 81-88-87

◗ Though she has lost eight consecutive races, six of those have come in graded stakes.

◗ She is the only member of this field to have won at this distance, with the victory coming last April 1 in the Grade 3 Orchid.

◗ John Velazquez picks up the mount.

Taralena, by Arch
Last 3 Beyers: 88-88-83

◗ Figures to be on or close to the lead under Tyler Gaffalione.

“It’ll be up to Tyler to break well,” Clement said. “She’s a galloper.”

Empressof the Nile, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 86-88-71

◗ Another who figures to be involved early. Her jockey, Jose Ortiz, was aboard for a front-running maiden win at Saratoga last summer and a nose loss last spring at Keeneland.

“Jose has ridden her really well,” Bond said.