5/16/2020

2 BEL    The Soaring Softly (GIII)

                 $100.000                   3yoF                   7f  Turf                        122lbs

A great finish in The Soaring Softly (GIII) as three horses hit the wire in a blur and we needed a photo to make Lillehammer the winner by a nose in a final time of 1:20.90 on the BEL turf, labeled fast.  Charity Jane just missed in a fast closing effort and post time favorite Sheza Kat was another head back in third.

Eight fillies went to the gate for this turf dash and away in good order with Drift World on the early speed, Shalakar stalking that one, down to the rail for Priorities and Lillehammer, Cherokee Duchess just to the outside of that pair, Sheza Kat was next, Charity Jane and Certain Vessel was the early trailer.

Down the backside and now midway on the far turn with three furlongs left to run, Drift World with a comfortable lead, Shalakar still give chase three wide, Priorities and Lillehammer still with the inside position, Sheza Kat four wide, Cherokee Duchess saving ground, Certain Vessel next to that one and Charity Jane was now the back marker.

Into the lane and flying past the furlong marker, Drift World was now looking at Lillehammer as that one was moving quickly, Shalakar three wide, Sheza Kat four wide and Charity Jane five wide.  Back down to the rail for Cherokee Duchess, Priorities on her flank and Certain Vessel was now at the back of the field.

Now in deep stretch and to the finish, Lillehammer moved up to take the lead, Charity Jane closing down the center of the track, Sheza Kat between that pair, Drift World tiring along the rail, Shalakar trying to find more… but as they hit the wire it was a bang-bang-bang finish and the PHOTO sign went up on the infield tote board.  After look at the instant video replay, Lillehammer had gotten to the wire first by the slimmest of margins, with Charity Jane taking the second spot by a short head over Sheza Kat in third.  Drift World held on for the fourth spot after setting the pace, Shalakar was fifth, Cherokee Duchess in sixth, Priorities seventh and Certain Vessel closed this one one out.

Lillehammer is a 3yo chestnut filly by Grandeur – Phone Charger by Commanding, and she was bred by Smokey Stover in NY.  Acquired by Invicta Group llc via private purchase for $37.000, she now has two wins from just five starts and shows earnings of $123.43.  This one certainly seems to have a bright future ahead. 

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

Track: Firm       Time: :22⁴  :45³  1:09   1:20⁴
$1 Exacta: 1 – 8 Paid 55.00      $1 Trifecta: 1 – 8 – 7 Paid 80.60
Scratched: None

Lillehammer never far from the leader, saved ground to the top of the lane, moved into the two lane, up quickly to take a short lead, all out to the wire, prevailed.  Charity Jane away slowly, steady gain, five path into the lane, closed full of run, just  missed.  Sheza Kat unhurried while never far from the pace, closed well, out-finished in a good effort. Drift World away well, set the pace to just inside the furlong marker, could not stay with the top trio.  Shalakar broke well, just in behind the leader, tired.  Cherokee Duchess was not involved.  Priorities tracked the early pace in the two path, tired.  Certain Vessel was outrun.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES