Italian Soiree Surprises in Coronation Cup

After a year-long winless spell, Italian Soiree emerged victorious as a 14-1 longshot in the $175,000 Coronation Cup Stakes (G3T), a 5 1/2-furlong turf race July 11 at Saratoga Race Course. Rated in third inside under Luis Saez, Italian Soiree kicked on down to the lane to complete the distance on good turf in 1:02.21, beating five other 3-year-old fillies. She finished a length ahead of runner-up Laurice, with show finisher Abientot a neck further behind. "She gave me a good kick, and after that I was a little bit more comfortable because I (knew) Laurice was on the outside," Saez said. "A little traffic, a little worry, but after that she just kept going." Saez won the Coronation Cup for the third time after success aboard Broadway Run in 2018 and Twirling Queen last year. Favored Make Haste (GB) commanded an early lead for three furlongs under pressure from Cloe before fading to last. Cloe similarly weakened after the duo took turns leading through fractions of :20.99 and :44.07. Those demanding splits set the stage for Italian Soiree to mount her bid. She returned $31.20 for a $2 win wager. Trained by John Terranova, Italian Soiree began her career auspiciously by breaking her maiden on debut last July at Aqueduct Racetrack and then finishing second in the Adirondack Stakes (G3) last August. But she had not hit the board in five subsequent starts after that graded placing for owners Hit The Bid Racing Stable, Morplay Racing, and Randall Hartley. "We haven't been able to get to the right race," said Seth Morris, racing manager for Hit The Bid Racing Stable. "So, it really did all come together today. … I'm just ecstatic; we think she's a classy filly, we know she has talent, and trains well; so, just really happy for (Hit The Bid owners) Hal and Allison Mintz... Everybody's gone through a tough year, and this is a great feeling." The Coronation Cup marked the filly's first turf victory in the fourth turf start of her career. She is now 2-1-0 in eight starts with earnings of $227,048. Bred in Kentucky by Repole Stable, Italian Soiree is a 3-year-old daughter of the late stallion Uncle Mo out of the Smart Strike mare Social Call. Italian Soiree is the second stakes winner for her dam along with her full brother Be Better, who won the 2023 Deputed Testamony Stakes at Laurel Park. Discussing the opportunity to sprint Italian Soiree on grass, assistant trainer Tonya Terranova said, "We really wanted to do this for a little while. Her mom was a turf sprinter." Morris purchased Italian Soiree for $600,000 from the Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds consignment to the 2024 Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Main Track No Issue for Lady Eli's Youngster A race earlier Friday at Saratoga, Dr. Agne, a son of Into Mischief out of champion Lady Eli, scored at first asking in a maiden race for juveniles taken off the grass and contested at seven furlongs on the fast main track. The Cherie DeVaux trainee, owned by Madaket Stables, Twin Brook Stables, and Belladonna Racing, was clocked in 1:25.97 under Jose Ortiz and returned $9.70 to win. Epic Desire, a full brother to multiple grade 1 winner Adare Manor, finished second.