Souper Escape wins Trillium Stakes at Woodbine

Exciting competition in the Trillium Stakes, a Grade 3 affair at Woodbine, July 18, 2020 (Race 8). At 1/1/16th mile. The winner was the able Souper Escape, held in the morning line at 10/1 but one of three horses that went off at 5/2 when the gates opened. The horse was  trained to a “T” by Michael Trombetta and ridden smartly by Luis Contreras. The horse did not have the highest Beyers numbers going in, but had consistent numbers. After Amalfi Coast’s (vet) scratch, the horse became the sole speed, and the jockey managed the pace artfully, while the trainer’s training evinced itself as the horse grew stronger down the stretch. I like the horse because of a profitable trainer angle (Trombetta does 34% in similar situations), the fact he was lone speed, and because the consistent numbers augured good form.  Also had the second placer, Painting, a come-from-behnider that was slow getting going, and all out for second. The winner led all the way setting fractions of: :24 and 4;   48 and 3   1:11 and 3   1:36   and a final time of 1:42 and 3. The winner paid 7.50 4.00 3.10 - and the $1.00 Exacta (1-6) Paid: $11.85

The other dives I took on the day were less remunerable.  In Race 1 –a 5F $62k on the Turf - I took Fact Checking, a come-from-binder that may have seconditis (or fourthitis) and  lacked late punch and which finished 4th. It seems to me in 5 F bouts getting going early matters much, late runners entail more than the usual peril. In Race 5 - an $75k OC at 1 1/16th mile - I took Elusive Knight. And the horse did obtain a saving Place showing. Elusive Knight was slow to get going – and then had some roughness of trip. But persevered. But the winner (and favorite) Clayton was much the best in any case. Elusive Knight might be better at 1 mile and 1/4.

As always, the Canadian crew were positive and polite, the Massey-Ferguson ads endearingly reminiscent of my youth, and the Molson's cold. - Baruch "Racetrack Romeo" Barnard