Souper Sensational is the value play for the Victory Ride Stakes

A really good field of eight sophomore fillies will take aim on the $150,000 Victory Ride S. (G3) at Belmont Park on Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong dash over Big Sandy attracted some especially fleet fillies in a fascinating affair. With a wicked and contested pace likely for the sprint, a late-running type figures to have every chance inside the final furlong to run down some tired legs. And I feel that the Mark Casse-trained #5 Souper Sensational (8-1) is a perfect fit.

The $725,000 yearling purchase began her career north of the border, striding home a convincing winner on both occasions over Woodbine's all-weather surface. Curlin filly was 2 1/4-lengths best on debut, followed by a dominant winner of the Glorious Song S., both coming at the seven-furlong distance.

Souper Sensational was put on the path towards the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in 2021, but she ran into some of the top three-year-old fillies in training and came up short. A creditable second in the Silverbulletday S. in her 2021 bow, she followed with an unplaced showing in the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2). The chestnut set the pace prior to registering a third-place result in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) behind two standout sophomores.

In her latest venture, Souper Sensational was well-placed to the top of the lane in the deep Eight Belles S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, before lacking room and checking in fourth. The return to one-turn racing looks like a wise move, and she comes in fresh with rapid morning drills in advance of her first run in the Empire State.

Not only does the Kentucky-bred show the trend of a horse moving in the right direction, Souper Sensational has improved her Brisnet Speed number in two straight. She has posted a pair bullet works in succession, as well. With Flavien Prat taking the reins, the well-meant lass will sit behind at least four runners early in the Victory Ride S., before being asked for a winning run nearing the top of the stretch. And I think that she possesses the turn of foot to do so, just as she did in the initial two starts of her career.

It is hard for me to toss any entrant in the high-quality field, so I will run down my top pick with the entire group.

Victory Ride Wagers

• $12 win and place on #5 Souper Sensational ($24)
• $.50-cent trifecta: 5 with all with all ($21)
• $.50-cent trifecta: all with 5 with all ($21)