The Soaring Softly – (Grade lll)

Purse $200.00 – For Fillies Three Years Old

 5½ Furlongs – Turf

Saratoga – June 7, 2026

Franklymydearscarlet continued her winning ways, notching a second straight victory while taking down her graded stakes debut in the 11th Soaring Softly Stakes. She made every pole a winning one and drew away impressively in the lane to win by an easy length. The daughter of Prevent now has $260.11 in career earnings, and the win marked her fourth trip to the winner’s circle. Big Jd Racing and jockey Victor Espinoza also etched their names into the record books, as this marked their first victory in The Soaring Softly Stakes. Franklymydearscarlet completed the 5½ furlongs in 1:02.67, shaving 0.12 seconds off the time recorded in the race’s inaugural Saratoga running a year ago. This filly ended up breaking from the gate at 18-1, so this was definitely an upset victory. The Grade Three Coronation Cup here at Saratoga next month appears to be a logical next step, although this New York-bred will have several options heading into the summer. Congratulations to the connections!

Winner: Franklymydearscarlet – (Big Jd Racing, V. Espinoza) It was a very quick start for this filly as she went out to the lead with Ava Gardner and Extreme Hobbit. Franklymydearscarlet was saving ground on the rail running down the backside, setting early fractions of 22:48 and 45.28. Jockey Victory Espinoza started to ask this three-year-old to go and put a head in front, passing the 5/16 pole. She began to draw away at the top of the stretch, putting a length on the field and taking command. No one was able to catch her, holding off all closing rivals to win by a length. Putting together this performance after an N1X victory is pretty impressive. Franklymydearscarlet’s speed will be dangerous as she moves forward.

Second Place: Solar Lady – (Maxmillion Farm, J R. Velazquez) This filly ended up being the post time favorite and was also my top pick. Solar Lady sat just a little further back than usual in fourth, about a length off the pace. She saved ground on the rail off the first flight of horses and didn’t start making her move until the far turn. There wasn’t much room to run passing the quarter pole, so jockey John Velazquez decided to trail behind Franklymydearscarlet. The daughter of Solar System was trying her best to catch the eventual winner late, but was no match at the wire. Although Solar Lady got second, this was still a very good performance. She will continue to be one of the top three-year-old turf fillies in training right now.

Third Place: Ice Water – (Maxmillion Farm, M J. Sanchez) The second entrant for Maxmillion Farm and was also making her graded stakes debut. Ice Water was also coming into this race with four career starts, which was the least amount in the field. She settled just behind Solar Lady down the backstretch and around the far turn. This California-bred started to make up some ground at the quarter pole, but didn’t really have a clear lane to run down. Some room finally opened up with a furlong to go and Ice Water was taking aim at the leaders. There was just too much to do with not much time and she finished third. With a smoother trip, this filly probably would’ve gotten second. One to put in your watchlist.

Fourth Place: Ava Gardner – (Big Jd Racing, R. Santana Jr.) Came into this race off a graded stakes victory going six and a half furlongs at Santa Anita. Cutting back in distance, Ava Gardner showed a lot of speed from the gate. She was actually leading down the backside and set the early fractions with Franklymydearscarlet and Extreme Hobbit. The eventual winner started to pull away at the 5/16 pole, leaving this daughter of Rotarian behind. She did continue to fight on gallantly from the quarter pole to the wire as she continued to lose ground. Ava Gardner held on for fourth—connections should still be pleased with this effort. Looking at her confirmation, I would like to see what this filly can do around two turns.

– AJM

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES