BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—Live Oak Plantation homebred Souper Zonda ranged up on longshot leader Miss Mary Nell in mid-stretch to claim the lead and crossed the wire clear of late-running Dreaming of Abba to win Saturday’s $100,000 FHBPA Fillies and Mares Turf.

It was the second stakes win of the day for jockey Sonny Leon, who earlier captured the $100,000 FHBPA Sophomore Sprint in an 8-1 upset with My Boy Star. Souper Zonda covered one mile over a firm course in 1:33.19.

Souper Zonda, favored at 9-5 from outermost post nine, settled in third as Nina’s Last Gift took the field through a quarter-mile in :22.51 pressed to her outside by Miss Mary Nell, sent off at 40-1. Nina’s Last Gift clung to a short lead rounding the far turn but was passed by Miss Mary Nell at the top of the lane with Souper Zonda, tipped off the rail approaching the stretch, looming a threat on the outside.

Leon and Souper Zonda continued to gain ground on a stubborn Miss Mary Nell before surging late for her second straight stakes win following the $100,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf on March 29 at Tampa Bay Downs. Dreaming of Abba, fourth in the Distaff Turf, nailed Miss Mary Nell by a nose on the wire for second. Ashima made a belated run to get fourth ahead of Notable Exchange, with Sheshimaintenance, Charlie’s Wish, Lets Go Koko and Nina’s Last Gift completing the order of finish. Calla was scratched.

Souper Zonda paid $5.60 to win.

 

A 4-year-old chestnut daughter of two-time Horse of the Year and 2014 Hall of Famer Curlin, Souper Zonda improved her overall record to five wins from 10 starts. She is three-for-four over the Gulfstream turf, graduating in her July 2024 debut and winning the $75,000 Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf on January 10 in her season debut.

She is out of the Scat Daddy mare Zonda.

— Brock Sheridan contributed to this report

Return to the April 25 issue of Wire to Wire