Soft Talk swept past Back to Ohio in the stretch on her way to posting a four-length victory in the Tomboy Stakes at Belterra Park on Saturday, 26 August.
Back to Ohio finished second, completing an exacta in the Stakes race for their sire, Midshipman. It was the second Stakes win for the three-year-old Soft Talk; she captured the Best of Ohio Queen City Stakes in June.
Soft Talk was settled at the rear of the field as Buckeye Belle led the field past the grandstand and into the clubhouse turn. Soft Talk had moved up into more of a stalking position in mid-pack as the field entered the backstretch, as Buckeye Belle continued to wing it along on the front end.
Heading into the far turn, Buckeye Belle’s lead had dwindled, as Back to Ohio rolled up to challenge her for the lead. Soft Talk continued to close, moving into third under a full head of steam. Back to Ohio overtook Buckeye Belle for the lead at the top of the stretch, but Soft Talk was rolling on the outside, and quickly swept past both those rivals and took command. She continued to draw off through the stretch and to the wire, winning quite easily.
Bred in Ohio by Hal Snowden, Jr., Soft Talk is a half-sister to multiple Stakes winner Big Truck, and her dam, Small Secret, is a half to Stakes winner Elkmont.
Soft Talk continues the recent hot streak of Stakes winners this summer for her sire, Midshipman. In addition to this dual Stakes-winning daughter, the stallion is represented by the talented juveniles Amidst Waves, already a two-time Stakes winner of the Listed Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga and the Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park, and Ship Cadet, who wired the field when taking the Skidmore Stakes, also at Saratoga. Another juvenile, Call Me Andy, is a two-time Stakes-placed colt so far this year. Among older runners, Midshipman is well-represented by recent Chilean Triple Crown winner, Fortino.
