Scorching dazzles with a dominant Simcoe Stakes victory, showcasing potential stardom for trainer John Charalambous and owners Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch.
"Scorching" not only describes the recent Ontario weather but also the blazing speed of the two-year-old colt SCORCHING, who delivered a commanding performance in the $200,000 Simcoe Stakes at Woodbine on August 25. The annual yearling sales stakes take place just days before the CTHS Ontario Yearling Sale, scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m.
In only his second career start, following a strong runner-up finish behind the talented Cut the Dust, Scorching surged to the lead under Patrick Husbands and never looked back. He secured a five-length victory in the 6 1/2 furlong race on Tapeta, stopping the clock in 1:17.57 and earning an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.
Purchased for $120,000 at last year’s CTHS sale on the recommendation of former trainer Reade Baker, Scorching is owned by Braverman and Pinch. “I think John [Charalambous] did a fabulous job getting him ready,” said Braverman. “He [Scorching] seems to be improving with every race, and we were hoping for a strong showing today.”
Bred by Huntington Stud Farm Corp in Kleinburg, Scorching is by Mo Town out of Samsal, by Consolidator. A half-sister to Scorching, by Take Charge Indy, is available in the upcoming sale. Samsal is also the dam of stakes-placed Keep Grinding and four other winners. Scorching was well-backed at the betting windows, returning just $6 for the win.
The Muskoka Stakes saw SOUPER SUPREME, a half-sister to King’s Plate winner Paramount Prince, score an impressive front-running victory. Bred by Ericka Rusnak and purchased by Mike Langlois and Gary Barber for $100,000 at last year’s sale, the Souper Speedy filly captured her maiden win in her second start and went on to take the Muskoka by 4 1/4 lengths under Patrick Husbands in 1:18.20, earning a 71 Beyer Figure.
Trained by Mark Casse, Souper Supreme has a half-sibling by Silent Name (Jpn) available in the sale. Langlois mentioned he plans to attend the sale on Wednesday and consult with Casse.
Dr. Brian Van Arem’s homebred JUNIOR HOT SHOT, who he bought back for $55,000 at the 2022 CTHS Ontario yearling sale, claimed his first stakes victory in the $100,000 Elgin Stakes. Trained by John Ross, Junior Hot Shot, a son of Souper Speedy out of Executive Dreamer by Bold Executive, held off a late challenge from Yacht Boy to win by 3/4 of a length in 1:24.35, earning a 77 Beyer Figure.
The Algoma Stakes was captured by Mike Coll’s JUST FOLLOW ME, by Old Forester out of Marilyn’s Last Love by One Way Love. Bred by John Carey and trained by Bill Tharrenos, Just Follow Me came from off the pace under Emma-Jayne Wilson to win in the final strides in 1:24.78, earning a 71 Beyer. A full brother to Just Follow Me is also available in the upcoming sale.