Gulfstream Park: Trombetta gets Souper exacta in Sunshine Turf

It was a Souper, Souper finish for owner Live Oak Plantation in Sunday’s $75,000 Sunshine Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Off at 9-2, Forever Souper kicked in late to edge his Michael Trombetta-trained stablemate Souper Blessing by a length in the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for Florida-bred 4-year-olds and up.

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Forever Souper saved ground in third behind the pace set by Roaring Forties around the first turn and along the backstretch past fractions of 24.12 and 47.75 seconds for the first half-mile.

Roaring Forties continued to show the way around the far turn and entering the homestretch as Souper Blessing made a three-wide sweep under Edwin González. After straightening into the stretch, Paco López found room to take Forever Souper off the rail to launch an outside drive.

Souper Blessing, the 2-1 second betting choice, fought past a tiring Roaring Forties in deep stretch only to be overtaken by his stablemate approaching the finish.

“Paco save the ground, and Edwin was forced wide,” said Chris Aro, Trombetta’s assistant trainer. “Luckily, we ran 1-2.”

Forever Souper, a 5-year-old homebred son of American Pharoah, ran 1 1/16 miles over the firm turf in 1:40.01. Forever Blessing finished a nose ahead of third-place finisher Space Runner.

Me and Mr. C., the 6-5 favorite, was never a factor and finished last in the field of six.

Forever Souper, who lost a Tampa Bay Downs allowance by a nose last out, got his fifth win from 12 career starts while collecting his first stakes victory.

“Forever Souper, he came into this race at the right time,” Aro said. “He needed that last race at Tampa and had a very solid workout last weekend.”