The 2024 racing season promises continued excitement as Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Soul of an Angel prepares for her next start, with several promising contenders from Saffie Joseph Jr.’s stable poised to make their mark. Fans tracking the horse racing schedule and keeping an eye on horse racing odds will find plenty to follow in the coming months.
Soul of an Angel’s Journey from Breeders’ Cup to Gulfstream’s Rampart Stakes
Soul of an Angel, who captured a dramatic victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar, is set to continue her campaign with a potential start in the $125,000 Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Park on December 26. The five-year-old mare, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and owned by a partnership including C2 Racing Stable, Agave Racing Stable, and Ken Reimer, is expected to use the Rampart as a springboard to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on February 22.
Joseph sees the Rampart, a one-turn mile, as an ideal stepping stone, allowing Soul of an Angel to progress from the seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup to the one-turn mile and then the one-turn mile and an eighth in Saudi Arabia.
Following her Breeders’ Cup success, Soul of an Angel returned to Gulfstream, where she’s being eased back into training. For now, she’s hand-walking and will soon begin light jogging in preparation for her next race.
Joseph expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to win a Breeders’ Cup race, describing it as a career highlight. Reflecting on her slow start in the Breeders’ Cup, Joseph recalled how she made a powerful late run to win by half a length at 19-1 odds, despite trailing by up to 12 lengths early on.
A Dramatic Breeders’ Cup Win for Soul of an Angel
Soul of an Angel’s Breeders’ Cup victory was her third graded-stakes win and her first at the Grade 1 level, pushing her career earnings over the $1 million mark. In the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, she broke slowly, finding herself last in the field. But as the field rounded the far turn, she displayed a remarkable closing kick, passing rivals with ease and sweeping to the outside to secure victory. This impressive come-from-behind run demonstrated her powerful finishing ability, making her a top contender for upcoming races.
Soul of an Angel showed similar late speed in the Princess Rooney (G3) at Gulfstream Park in September, where she also came from off the pace to win. Not originally nominated for the Breeders’ Cup, her connections supplemented her entry with a $100,000 fee, a decision that paid off handsomely with her win.
Skippylongstocking and Honor D Lady’s Recent Performances
Joseph’s Breeders’ Cup entries also included Skippylongstocking, who finished sixth in the Dirt Mile, and Honor D Lady, who placed seventh in the Distaff. Following the Breeders’ Cup, Honor D Lady was sold for $1 million at the Fasig-Tipton fall mixed sale.
Meanwhile, Skippylongstocking returned to Gulfstream, where he’s being prepared for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) on January 25. This race will be another highlight for Joseph’s stable as they aim to capture success in one of the year’s first major events.
Holiday Pay Prepares for Awesome Banner Handicap
In addition to his Breeders’ Cup horses, Joseph has Holiday Pay entered in the $75,000 Awesome Banner overnight handicap for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream on Saturday. This Florida-bred colt by Awesome Slew has shown consistency, with three wins and multiple top-three finishes in eight starts at Gulfstream.
Holiday Pay will start from the outermost post 9 under jockey Edgard Zayas and is listed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Joseph is optimistic about his chances, noting that the seven-furlong distance should suit the colt well.
With Soul of an Angel aiming for the Rampart and potentially the Saudi Cup, Skippylongstocking prepping for the Pegasus World Cup, and Holiday Pay continuing his strong form, Saffie Joseph Jr.’s stable is packed with promising contenders.
Racing fans and bettors will have plenty to watch as Joseph’s horses tackle upcoming races on the horse racing schedule, setting the stage for a great start to the 2024 racing season.
