Ward saddles strong contenders in Soaring Softly, Paradise Creek stakes
ELMONT, N.Y. - Even as he prepares to send some of his top talent to England for next month’s Royal Ascot meeting, trainer Wesley Ward still has plenty of quality horses for upcoming races in the U.S., including a pair of 3-year-olds for turf sprint stakes this weekend at Belmont Park.
In Saturday’s $100,000 Soaring Softly Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs, Ward will send out the good-looking debut winner Chardy Party. Sunday, Ward will send out European import Asymmetric in the $100,000 Paradise Creek for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.
Chardy Party, a daughter of Dark Angel owned by Stonestreet Stables, rallied from 10 lengths back at the quarter pole to win a 5 1/2-furlong maiden turf race at Keeneland on April 27.
Ward said Chardy Party had worked well enough before that race that he was excited to see her run first time. She broke poorly from the rail, and though she saved ground, she was well behind fast early splits. Irad Ortiz Jr. got her off the rail in midstretch, and once clear she made up the remaining 4 1/2-length deficit to get up by a half-length.
“I knew she’d come with a run,” Ward said. “I didn’t think she’d come with a run like that. It was a big race. She ran like a seasoned horse, which for a first-time starter that’s what was impressive.”
Chardy Party has worked twice over the Belmont turf. She was placed behind another horse in the second and best of those works.
Chardy Party drew post 12 for the Soaring Softly, which would be the outside post provided the race stays on the turf. Baby Man, a main-track-only entrant, is in post 13.
Trainer Christophe Clement entered the trio of Anador, Breeze Easy and Derrynane in the Soaring Softly. Also entered were Haughty, Sail By, Champagne Poetry, Lost My Sock, Ouraika, Snow Loves a Fight, Wish You Well and Wonka.
Sunday, Asymmetric will make his U.S. debut and first start for Ward after winning three of six stakes in Europe, including a Group 2 at Goodwood. Ward said the horse trained without shoes - as many of his horses do - and didn’t show much early on. But when Ward put shoes and then blinkers on the Irish-bred colt he saw a turnaround in his training.
“His last few works have been really good,” Ward said, noting that on May 17 Asymmetric outworked the three-time stakes-winning 4-year-old Outadore. “He sat off behind him, eased out, and really kicked on well.”
Ortiz will be on Asymmetric, who had been trained for his first six starts by Alan King.
Entries for the Paradise Creek will be taken on Thursday. Others expected for the race include Big Invasion, Carpe’s Dream, Chanceux, Grooms All Bizness and Maritime Wings.