Sensational Soul saves it late

SENSATIONAL SOUL split LOCKDOWN and I DREAM AGAIN a furlong and a half out before running down escapee BOB THE BUILDER to score a three-quarter length win in yesterday’s 2000 Guineas, handing Trinidadian owner Chevan Maharaj a sixth classic win in six years.

Maharaj, who enjoyed tremendous classic success in 2019-2020 with Supreme Soul, 2019 Triple Crown winner, and Calculus, 2020 St Leger and Jamaica Derby champion, watched SENSATIONAL SOUL set a July 5 St Leger date with BURNING HEDGE, the filly who won Saturday’s 1000 Guineas in a much faster time than the colts.

BURNING HEDGE, crowned last year’s champion two-year-old after beating colts and geldings in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile, clocked 1:41.3 in the 1000 Guineas, 1.1 seconds faster than SENSATIONAL SOUL’s charge, which took him past BOB THE BUILDER close home.

A full brother to Toona Ciliata (Soul Warrior-Red Gold), who lost the 2019 Guineas and St Leger to Triple Crown-winning stablemate, Supreme Soul, SENSATIONAL SOUL showed grit to bully his way past rivals from off the rail midway the straight.

Set down to chase BOB THE BUILDER stealing home with leading rider and defending champion, Raddesh Roman, SENSATIONAL SOUL responded willingly to Shane Elli’s urgings for a victory suggesting no colt should beat him in the 10-furlong St Leger, more so August’s Jamaica Derby at 12 furlongs.

However, BURNING HEDGE’s 1000 Guineas performance, a five and three-quarter length win, has booked a Battle of the Sexes for the remaining two classics on the route course.

SENSATIONAL SOUL closed a two-timer for Shane Ellis, his first response to Roman in weeks as the leading rider runs riot atop the jockeys’ standings on 52 winners. Ellis earlier booted home BENEISON in the sixth event at nine furlongs and 25 yards before SENSATIONAL SOUL moved him to 26 wins.

Claiming rider Emelio McLean also visited the winners’ enclosure twice, opening the 10-race card astride 6-1 chance KISSMET for trainer Steven Todd, who also won the fifth with 5-1 mild upsetter COSMIC FORCE at five furlongs straight.

McLean’s second winner was SECRET MISSION at odds of 8-1 for Oral Hayden in the third at six and a half furlongs.

Philip Feanny and champion Jason DaCosta joined Todd in saddling two winners apiece. Feanny’s out-of-class American, TITAN TEMPO, beat $1-million claimers in the second at seven and a half furlongs.

The 14-time champion trainer afterwards struck in the seventh event at five furlongs straight with FEARLESS SOUL, who charged late at odds of 4-1 to collar MONEY MARKET at five furlongs straight.

Meanwhile, DaCosta notched back-to-back two-timers at the weekend’s dual meet to earn breathing room ahead of rival Anthony Nunes. DaCosta’s winners were HIT N RUN in the eighth and CHOCOMO in the ninth, partnered by Abigail Able and Robert Halledeen, respectively.