The Soaring Softly (Grade 3)- $175.000 Purse
BEL- For Fillies Three Years Old
Seven Furlongs on the Turf
May 27, 2023

There was plenty of reason to like Sinister City in the Soaring Softly. He had come into the race having won five of his last six, with his most recent race snapping the streak and having all the looks of a throw out. If there was any question about him, it would be whether or not seven furlongs would be enough distance for him. That was a bit of a stretch, though, and he would be made our pick for the race. While the bettors did not fully agree, and went with Miss Fury likely because of who trains her, she still was solidly bet as a 3/1 choice. Sinister City showed exactly why we were confident in her, having no problems en route to her sixth win in seven starts. This filly is trained by The Freakshow, and it is his first win in the Soaring Softly and that is true for the jockey, M Franco, as well. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:20.70, and that sets a new stake record! Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.12)- Jumping out to the early lead, that’s the 56/1 longshot Era Of Nebraska opening up by two for TwinTowersRacing. The other jockeys, perhaps knowing the odds of that one, do not seem terribly concerned with it and let her have the lead. There is a group of three sitting just off the lead, and in the middle of that group, Asgar’s Deaf Luna has a neck in front, but right beside her in the third lane is our eventual winner from The Freakshow, Sinister City. Also, a part of this group is the post time favorite from Mb Stables, Miss Fury. Will she justify the bettors support today? Behind this group, Arindel’s Broadway Lady is a length behind, and the trailer, Lxawana in nearby in the silks of Alydar Stables.

(1/2 Mile- :46.28, Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Down the backstretch and into the turn, Era Of Nebraska is running well out front, and still seems comfortable after running half a mile midway into the turn. Once we get to that point, Sinister City begins to make a move, completing the pass of Deaf Luna and moving about a full length ahead of her while within the turn. Remember that subtle little pass right here, because that’s going to mean something later! Miss Fury, who had also been with them, is quickly showing signs of fatigue and has fallen back into clutches of Broadway Lady and Lxawana.

(Finish- 1:20.70)- Era Of Nebraska is not giving up, and her supporters are beginning to wonder if they’re about to cash out with a big payday. For her, it would not be the case, as the consistent run of Sinister City got her closer, and they were level with a furlong to go. Given she likes to run a mile or a little more, you had to like her chances of pulling this off. Deaf Luna was trying to cling on to her but could not make up that length that she conceded in the turn. Approaching the wire, it would be Sinister City grabbing the lead, and there would be no one able to catch her. She would go on to get the win, her sixth in her last seven starts, with Deaf Luna settling for second. Era Of Nebraska’s gritty race saw her hang on for third and ensure a pricey trifecta! Lxawana was fourth, and Broadway Lady fifth. Beating no one, was that odd post time favorite, Miss Fury.

About The Winner- Sinister City, trained by The Freakshow, and ridden to victory by M Franco, is a three-year-old filly by Creepy Rene and is out of Sin City Shower. She was bred in California by The Freakshow as a yearling and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her seventh in 11 starts, her fourth stake win and third graded win. Her career earnings are now $632.400.

Track: Firm
Time: :23   :46¹  1:09²  1:20³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 2 Paid 15.00
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 2 – 5 Paid 1,398.20

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES