The heat is really on as the native-bred three-year-old Classic series of races continues to draw closer and closer. This season’s Classic races start on April 13 with the 1000 Guineas for fillies only. The 2000 Guineas (colt and geldings) is set for April 14.
On Saturday, the Anthony Nunes-conditioned Supreme Soul got his final preparation race and he responded with a glistening manner.
Supreme Soul (Soul Warrior – Beware Baby), running in an Optional Claiming ($850,000-$750,000) event over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) won by a city block, 22 lengths ending in a blistering final time of 1:55.3 behind splits 26.1, 50.2, 1:14.3 and 1:41.1.
“Well, he (Supreme Soul) didn’t run against anybody but we knew that going in the race. We just wanted to get a work out of it [race] as he is not going to race until the 2000 Guineas which is five weeks away.
“It simply did not make any sense for us to cruise around, cantering and win by five or six lengths. We wanted to get a work out of it. And so, I told Shane (Ellis) to ask him (Supreme Soul) to run and make sure he got something out of it. I can’t complain about the final time either,” a now much more confident trainer Anthony Nunes said after the race of his charge.
Stable companion Western Wheels (Trevor Simpson) carried the field around the clubhouse turn chased by Baltusrol (Robert Halledeen) and Supreme Soul (Shane Ellis). The three Nunes trainees continued down the backstretch before Ellis sent through Supreme Soul to take up the lead at the half-mile.
While running the half-mile turn, Supreme Soul began to up the tempo and increased his lead with every stride taken. It was a matter of racing against the clock from there on as the chestnut colt powered home to win by a distance.
Burlin (Aaron Chatrie) came from far behind to nip Baltursol on the wire for second place, earning the stables a one, two, three finish.
“I mean, he has to be one of the favourites. I mean, he gets a distance of ground and I think the longer he goes it going to be better for him and so let’s hope that he stays healthy and sound,” Nunes ended.
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