Super Surprise earns first career victory in Maid of the Mist

On a New York Showcase card that produced mostly predictable results, the aptly named Super Surprise garnered her first career victory in the $250,000 Maid of the Mist Stakes for New York-bred juvenile fillies.

The winner, a 17-1 shot, was part of a “surprise package” from breeder-owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher, who also sent out pacesetter and eventual sixth-place finisher Surprise Cameo.

Surprise Cameo sped to the front early through fractions of 23.55 seconds and 46.72 but was overtaken around the turn by Frosty Margarita, who quickly opened a clear lead over the 3-5 favorite She’s All Ready and Super Surprise turning for home.

Frosty Margarita remained clear inside the furlong grounds and appeared en route to victory at 10-1, but Super Surprise found another gear under John Velazquez and caught the leader in the final yards to win by three-quarters of a length. Frosty Margarita was well clear of third finisher She’s All Ready and longshot Trulamo in fourth. Melodic checked in fifth as the 5-1 second choice.

“Finally, a win,” said Velazquez. “Today, when I asked her, she responded and got there.”

Super Surprise ($36.20), a daughter of freshman sire Giant Surprise, had run second and fourth in two prior stakes attempts. She ran one mile in 1:37.76 seconds and earned $150,000 for her first victory.

“I thought she finally put it all together,” said assistant trainer Byron Hughes. “Stretching her out to a mile definitely helped. I think she’s the type of filly that needs to close on a good pace, and she did that today.”