Toronto, ON – Jockey Chantal Sutherland teamed with Sans Sousi to take the 28th running of the $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine. Sent off as the 4-1 second choice in the seven-furlong feature, Sans Sousi, who has never finished lower than fourth in 11 career starts, rallied late to net her first added-money victory.

Sutherland and Sans Sousi, a chestnut daughter of Bold Executive, were last in the nine-horse field through an opening quarter-mile of :22.93 and seventh at the half in :45.85, the fractions set by mutuel favourite Minkredible. Sans Sousi, co-owned by Eaton Hall Farm and trainer Mike Doyle, continued to gain on the front-runner around the turn for home, collaring Minkredible on the inside in late stretch, while fending off an outside bid from Koonunga Hill.

Contesting her sixth consecutive stakes event, Sans Sousi prevailed by a half-length over Koonunga Hill, with Minkredible 2 ¾-lengths further back in third. The final time for the race was 1:24.97 over the Polytrack.

“Every race is different,” offered Sutherland. “Last race I rode her, everybody kind of moved early and she’s only got this short little spurt. I kind of need the race to set up for her and today it did. (Mike) had her really ready today.

“When she faced the gate, she tugged on my reins and was so focused. It made my job easier. After the wire, that was it. It was all she had.

I didn’t have much left. She just gave me everything she had.”

It was the first win for Sans Sousi since a maiden-breaking score last June, in her second lifetime start. Prior to the Lady Angela, the filly had three seconds, three thirds and two fourth-place finishes. “I thought eventually she would win a stakes,” said Doyle. “We were tempted to always go in an allowance race. This seemed like the right place at the right time. She was third going long last year, so we weren’t worried about the distance.”

Doyle is hopeful his young charge will get a shot to contest the Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, on June 7. “We’ll have a look,” he said. “We have lots of time. Whether that distance will be a problem or not we’ll have to figure out between now and then.”

Sans Sousi paid $10.20, $5.40 and $2.60, combining with Koonunga Hill ($6.70, $2.80) for a $35.70 exactor. Minkredible ($2.30) capped a $79.60 triactor. A $1 superfecta returned $151.60.

For more on the Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, visit www.woodbineoaks.com.

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