Queen’s Plate-eligible Bold Script chases her second lifetime added-money title in Saturday’s Grade 3 $125,000 Selene Stakes, at Woodbine.
The Chiefswood Stables’ Sovereign Award-winning homebred brings a record of two wins, one second and a pair of thirds from six starts into the 1 1/16-mile Selene, a key race leading up to the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser (June 8), as well as the $1 million Queen’s Plate (June 29).
Trained by Stuart Simon, the three-year-old daughter of Speightstown arrives at Saturday’s feature off a fifth-place performance in the Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes, contested on March 2 at Gulfstream Park.
“She didn’t have the greatest trip,” recalled Simon. “We were disappointed with the trip. She had trained really well on the dirt. At the end of the day, she ran a credible race.”
It was the first start of Bold Script’s three-year-old campaign after she closed out her 2018 season with a monster effort in the $225,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes, on November 4 at the Toronto oval.
Sent postward as the 2-1 second choice, Bold Script, under Gary Boulanger, had a five-length advantage at the stretch call, tacking on another 2 ½ lengths to her winning margin of victory in the 1 1/16-mile contest.
“Our big concern was the two turns and how much she’d shut off because she’s a pretty aggressive filly in the morning,” said Boulanger after the win. “Stu said, ‘That’s up to you Gary, you ride her with confidence.’”
Added Simon, “She’s been just a dream filly to train. These are the kind that you get up early in the morning for and she just does everything right, she always has. She trains over every surface well. I just can’t say enough about her, she’s just a pleasure to have.”
Bold Script wasted no time in notching her first lifetime win. Last July at Woodbine, she eked out a neck victory in her debut, rallying to score at six panels over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
That was followed by back-to-back thirds in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes and Grade 1 Natalma, then a second-place effort in the Cup and Saucer Stakes.
“It didn’t take long, that’s for sure,” said Simon as to when the barn they knew they had a good one. “Before her first race, she had trained well in Ocala. We liked what we saw. She’s always done whatever we’ve asked of her.”
Now, Bold Script will look to chalk up another stakes triumph, and if all goes well, a shot at all the spoils in the Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser.
“The biggest thing with her is that she has great tactical speed,” praised Simon. “You can do what you want with her according to the pace of the race. She’ll run on any surface… she’s pretty much a dream horse.”
A dream horse that comes with a winning attitude.
“She’s a competitor,” offered Simon. “She’s spirited, just one of those types of fillies. It just depends what day you catch her on.”
Mark Casse sends out a trio of starters (Power Gal, Preferred Guest and Souper Charlotte). Above All Names completes the field.
Last year, Gary Barber’s Miss Mo Mentum, trained by Casse, won the Selene in a time of 1:42.36. She returned $12.50 for the win.
The Selene is Race 3 on Saturday’s 10-race card. First post time is 1:05 p.m. Fans can also watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com.
FIELD FOR THE $125,000 SELENE STAKES
POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER
1 – Souper Charlotte – Eurico Rosa da Silva – Mark Casse
2 – Power Gal – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse
3 – Preferred Guest – Jerome Lermyte – Mark Casse
4 – Bold Script – Gary Boulanger – Stuart Simon
5 – Above All Names – Skye Chernetz – Bonnie Eshelman
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