Jim and Susan Hill’s Solid Appeal demonstrated a tremendous turn of foot over the expansive E.P Taylor Turf Course to win Saturday’s Grade 2 $213,200 Nassau Stakes, at Woodbine.
Solid Appeal, trained by Reade Baker, was provided with a stellar tactical ride by Jesse Campbell racing outside the favoured Irish Mission in the one-turn mile before surging to a 1 1/2-length victory.
Dancing to Town led the seven-horse field down the backstretch with Transgression and English Class stalking through a quarter in 23.06. Solid Appeal and Irish Mission pushed forward through the turn with Dancing to Town holding onto a tentative lead.
Campbell asked Solid Appeal for more at the top of the lane and the dark bay filly responded bursting into the lead with Irish Mission, along the rail, and a wide rallying Northern Passion hot on her tail. There was no catching Solid Appeal, however, who raced strong through the wire covering the mile in 1:34.01. Irish Mission stayed on for second over Northern Passion.
Campbell, who was aboard for Solid Appeal’s maiden score in July, noticed the filly had improved immensely over a winter that included a sharp allowance score at Keeneland.
“She’s a better horse than when I rode her last year,” said Campbell. “I think she took a bit of growing up. She was a little green last year, but she’s a stronger horse now, put on a few pounds and obviously her form was good over the winter.”
Campbell noted that tactics played a key part in securing the victory.
“I did not expect to be that forwardly placed,” said Campbell. “I let her be there because she was in the bit and I also had the five horse (Irish Mission) where I wanted her. I was riding my race around the five horse, being in the position I was, but she gave me a tremendous kick down to the wire.”
Solid Appeal, bred in Kentucky by Select Bloodstock, banked $120,000 in victory, while improving her record to 4-2-2 from 13 career starts.
She returned $18.60, $7 and $3.90, pairing with Irish Mission ($3.30, $2.40) for a $54.80 (6-5) exactor. A 6-5-7 (Northern Passion, $2.80 to show) triactor was worth $100.65. Dancing to Win completed a $1 Superfecta (6-5-7-1) worth $788.60.
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