Street Sounds Invades for Bison City Win Via DQ

(from Woodbine report)
American invader Street Sounds tallied her first stakes win in Canada via disqualification in Sunday’s CAN$250,000 Bison City Stakes for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

The daughter of Street Cry closed well to finish second and was placed first after the disqualification of 2-5 favorite Sealy Hill, last month’s Labatt Woodbine Oaks champion who crossed the line 1 1/2 lengths ahead.

The stewards disqualified Sealy Hill, who traveled 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.01, and placed her third after she drifted in at the top of the stretch and interfered with Quiet Jungle, the third-place finisher.

Under Ramon Dominguez, Street Sounds saved ground in third, lacked racing room on the turn and angled outside at the top of the stretch. She closed gamely through the lane, but couldn’t get to Sealy Hill.

Street Sounds, who has now won stakes races over the Keeneland and Woodbine Polytrack surfaces, is owned by Hidden Creek Farm and trained by Michael Matz.

Matz was sympathetic towards the Sealy Hill connections but happy with the result.

“It was unfortunate what happened,” said Matz. “It happens to all of us, either way. I don’t know exactly what went on out there. We’ll take the outcome, that’s for sure.”

Speculating that he may have had Street Sounds too sharp going into the Oaks, in which she finished third, Matz was much more pleased with how the Ontario-bred performed in the Bison City.

“She rated better today,” said Matz. “Ramon had a bit of trouble with her the day of the Oaks, but today she did everything the right way.”

Dominguez, whose most recent Woodbine tally came with Better Talk Now in the Sky Classic Stakes last September, was pleased with how his mount finished.

“Unfortunately, in the Oaks, she had a very bad ride,” offered Dominguez. “I’m still learning about this surface and the fractions, I realize, were way too fast. Today, I was a little more self-conscious about it. I took a hold of her and let her relax – more like a grass race. She finished up nicely. I was pleased with the way she ran.”

Matz said Street Sounds will switch surfaces for her next start.

“The next time we will definitely try her on the turf, whether it’s the Wonder Where (July 28) or a race up at Saratoga,” said Matz.

The second jewel in the Triple Tiara series, the Bison City returned to Woodbine for the first time in 28 years and just the fourth time in the event’s 54-year history.

Street Sounds returned $7.10, $4.80 and $2.90, combining with Quiet Jungle ($7.90, $3.40) for a $71.10 exacta. Sealy Hill returned $2.10 to show. Imeanseriously and Saskawea trailed.  

(Chart, Equibase)