Live Oak Plantation's Souper Sensational rallied to an impressive score in Saturday's $150,000 Grade 3 Victory Ride, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse and piloted by Flavien Prat, Souper Sensational was slowest away from the gate but quick when it mattered most, demonstrating a smart turn-of-foot late in the turn en route to a 3 1/4-length win.
Miss Brazil, with Jose Ortiz up, set a contested pace of :22.81 and :45.68 seconds on the main track rated good, with Ova Charged on her flank and Red Ghost outside of that one as Souper Sensational settled in fifth.
Ove Charged loomed large but Souper Sensation, rallying wide outside of rivals, found her best foot through the turn and was 1 1/2-lengths in front at the stretch call. A game Ova Charged continued to find more, but there was no reeling in the runaway Souper Sensational, who stopped the clock in 1:15.79.
Prat, aboard Souper Sensational for the first time, said the talented chestnut provided an immediate response when asked.
“She was traveling well and when I got her in the clear, she really kicked on well,” said Prat. “It didn't feel like we were going crazy fast. I thought she broke well. I bided my time and got off to a nice rhythm. In the end, she really responded.”
Ova Charged, with Luis Saez up, completed the exacta by two lengths over Inject. Red Ghost, Miss Brazil, and the previously undefeated Australasia completed the order of finish. Bella Sofia and Shop Girl were scratched.
“It was a very nice trip. She broke beautifully,” said Saez. “She never gave up and kept trying the whole way. We just got beat by a good one.”
Bred in Kentucky by Newtownanner Stud, Souper Sensational banked $82,500 in victory. She returned $13.80 for a $2 win wager.
The victory marked the first graded stakes win for Souper Sensational, who turned back in distance in the Victory Ride off a trio of Grade 2 efforts, finishing sixth in the 1 1/16-mile Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds in February, third in the 1 1/16-mile Fair Grounds Oaks in March, and fourth in the seven-furlong Eight Belles at Churchill Downs in April.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont for Closing Day of the 48-day spring/summer meet. First post on the nine-race card, featuring the $150,000 River Memories, is 12:30 p.m. Eastern.
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