Photo by: Benoit

Trainer David Hofmans Jockey Garrett Gomez Owner Chris Young Breeder Chris Young & Elizabeth A. DiBella (Ky) Recent Race History Date Race Finish 11.22.06 Maiden Sp Wt @ Hollywood Park 1st 10.29.06 Maiden Sp Wt @ Santa Anita 3rd 10.07.06 Maiden Sp Wt @ Santa Anita 8th

Starter Analysis

SILENT SOUL makes his stakes debut Saturday, causing some to think the jump from a maiden win to a Grade One is too much to ask. However, this is a race loaded with question marks about class, distance and surface capabilities. Drawing the rail is not the disadvantage it would be in a sprint, and with his closing style, Silent Soul should be near the back early anyway. It did take him three tries to break his maiden, and he did it on the grass, so he still has to prove himself in his first start on the Cushion Track. He's got the nation's leading rider in Garrett Gomez, and despite being a little light in the Beyer department, that will get him some support at the windows. Worth a long look if he's 5-1 or greater.

Pedigree Analysis :: Chesnut colt, 2; by Afternoon Deelites - Sweet Soul (Lord Avie)

SILENT SOUL is by Afternoon Deelites, a California favorite and $1 million earner in the mid-1990s. Outstanding at age two, he took Hollywood’s Prevue (GIII) and Futurity (GI) and was undefeated in three starts on the year. Probably at his best at race a mile or less, he went into the Kentucky Derby off a second place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (GI), but was off the board in the nation’s premier 3-year-old race. He retired with seven wins and three seconds in 12 starts. He is the sire of 24 stakes horses from five crops, headed by current runners and grade three winners Three Hour Nap and No Tolerance. Silent Soul is the second foal and the only starter out of his dam Sweet Soul. She raced only once herself, finishing third. Sweet Soul is by Lord Avie, one of the top 2-year-olds of 1980, won the Champagne (GI) and Young America (GI) that year. He had plenty of stamina, winning the nine furlong Florida Derby (GI) and finishing third in the 1 ¼ miles Travers (GI). Overall, there are plenty of stamina influences (Proper Reality, Raise a Native, Secretariat) on Silent Soul’s female side that indicate two turns suit him better than sprinting.