Silent Sonet, recipient of a perfect stalking trip under rider Eurico Rosa da Silva, surged to the front in early stretch and held sway for a 1 ¼-length victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Zadracarta at Woodbine.
The Zadracarta, a seven-furlong overnight turf stakes, attracted a field of 10 and Silent Sonet was the 3-1 third choice for trainer Nick Gonzalez.
There were three lead changes early in the race as Sugar Jones was first from the gate but was soon passed by Lindalindalisten, who in turn surrendered the lead to Dublin Diva.
Silent Sonet, meanwhile, was sitting pretty on the outside after beginning from post 10 as Dublin Diva clicked off fractions of :22.60 for the quarter and :44.73 for the half.
“Our plan was to stay back a little bit more,” said jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva. “We know she loves the grass and she was very keen today. She broke there and she positioned herself in third and second place, she was traveling very easy and I didn’t want to bother her. She was happy where she was. When we turned for home, she kicked from there.”
Silent Sonet was in front by 1 ½-lengths as they reached the three-quarters in 1:07.42 and it was all over from there.
Niigon’s Eclipse, coming off a front-running win in the Group 2 Nassau at one mile, found herself in a closing role at Sunday’s shorter distance and came strongly on the outside for second money, 1 ¾-lengths before Sugar Jones as the 2-1 choice.
Sugar Jones, who had been taken back after her opening burst of energy, finished well for third money at odds of 46-1, holding off the charging Jennifer Lynnette by a nose.
The final time on a turf track, which has been playing very fast, was 1:19.38, just .36 seconds off the track record set by the talented Soaring Free in 2004.
Completing the order of finish were Red Cabernet, Sparkle’s Girl, Crumlin Spirit, Inspired Vow, Dublin Diva and Listenlindalisten.
Silent Sonet was making her third start of the season after ending on the fringes in a pair of main track sprints.
“Actually, we had a plan with her,” said Gonzalez, who was sending out his first stakes winner of the meeting. We wanted to get her back on the turf where she had most of her success last year. She had a nice blowout in :58 and change for the race. She’s being doing really well after her first two races.
“She’s put on so much weight. You see the size of her now. To add to that – in a positive way – mentally, she’s even there more now. She’s grown up now.”
Silent Sonet was recording her second stakes victory, having captured the restricted La Prevoyante over one mile of turf here last year. The homebred daughter of Silent Name and Dynasonet races for Ivan Dalos.
She returned $8.10, $4 and $2.90 and fronted a 10-6 exacta with Niigon’s Eclipse ($3.30, $2.80) worth $26.70. Sugar Jones ($11.80) completed a 10-6-5 trifecta worth $428.00, with the 10-6-5-3 (Jennifer Lynnette) superfecta returning $848 for $1.
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