Queen of Soul to rise from the ashes

QUEEN OF SOUL has had excuses for four consecutive races since beating stablemate IMMEASURABLE JOY last September, putting her in line to land the coup in Saturday’s OTB Appreciation Day Trophy at seven furlongs.

Since springing a 5-1 surprise early September, turning back IMMEASURABLE JOY at six furlongs, QUEEN OF SOUL has not had a breather, losing her next race to United States-bred IMPRESSIVE FORCE at the back end of the month.

After being outclassed by IMPRESSIVE FORCE at six furlongs, QUEEN OF SOUL was set upon by SHE’S THAT GIRL in three consecutive races, having no chance against the speedster, who had chased BANADURA throughout the Jamaica Oaks.

In their first meeting, QUEEN OF SOUL was outsped at five and a half furlongs, late October, but made late gain to finish third behind SHE’S THAT GIRL, who was afterwards disqualified for interference at the half-mile marker.

SHE’S THAT GIRL returned for vengeance, early November, but was caught in the mud at six furlongs by a charging TEFLON DON, a loss she avenged a half-furlong shorter on December 14. QUEEN OF SOUL ran subdued races under Omar Walker on both occasions, prominent before fading in the straight.

Playing possum for her last two races, QUEEN OF SOUL should spring to life at seven furlongs. She paced the distance in 1:43.3 at exercise on New Year’s Day, a workout suggesting trainer Anthony Nunes was keeping cards close to his chest that morning.

The colts, ZULU WARRIOR and J SPIETH, will both be on the lead but could have trouble staying the trip under pressure, especially with QUEEN OF SOUL’s stablemate, PRINCESS AKILAH, capable of ensuring an honest pace.

A real fighter, QUEEN OF SOUL ran her first race as a two-year-old, losing in a driving finish to none other than Jamaica Derby runner-up, RUN JULIE RUN, who made hacks of rivals in the Miracle Man Cup when last out on New Year’s Day.