After just missing in last month's Mizdirection Stakes off a layoff, Africa will look to secure her first stakes score May 19 in the $100,000 Soaring Softly Stakes (G3T) on the Widener course at Belmont Park.
Trained by Chad Brown for owners Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and David Simon, Africa finished second to Out of The Flames (GB) in the Mizdirection April 15 at six furlongs on the Aqueduct Racetrack inner turf. Africa will stretch out to seven furlongs in Saturday's test.
Africa began her career in France with three starts. She closed out last season with an off-the-board finish in the Miss Grillo Stakes (G3T) at Belmont. The Mizdirection was her first start since that Oct. 1 effort.
Brown also will saddle Peter Brant's Brattata, who enters off a third-place finish in the Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T) in March on the Gulfstream Park turf.
The expected field of nine 3-year-old fillies also includes Golconda Stables' March X Press, who finished third in the Mizdirection.
Belmont Park, Saturday, May 19, 2018, Race 9Entries: Soaring Softly S. (G3T)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1March X Press (NY) Tyler Gaffalione 121 Todd A. Pletcher 9/2 3 3Nootka Sound (KY) Dylan Davis 117 Wesley A. Ward 5/1 5 5Elevenses (KY) Junior Alvarado 119 James A. Jerkens 8/1 7 7Strategic Dreams (FL) Rajiv Maragh 121 Rudy R. Rodriguez 15/1 9 9Brattata (KY) Kendrick Carmouche 115 Chad C. Brown 4/1
