Souper Diva looks to go one better in the Thunder Bay ​ ​

TORONTO, July 23, 2026 – Multiple stakes winner Souper Diva, trained by Steven Chircop for 6 Deep Stable, faces off against eight foes in Sunday’s $150,000 Thunder Bay Stakes, set for 6 furlongs on the Woodbine main track.

Sired by Souper Speedy out of the Sharp Humor mare Secret Chords, Souper Diva has been a model of consistency throughout her 10-race career, sporting a 3-4-0 mark to go with $232,246 in purse earnings.

The dark bay has finished second in her past four starts, including her most recent outing on June 21, the Georgian Bay Stakes, contested at 5 furlongs on the Woodbine inner turf.

“She’s been a very consistent horse,” said Chircop. “She’s had that four straight runner-up efforts now. I’m not going to lie; it’s been a little frustrating. When you are a big favourite, you expect to win, but she ran winning races without winning. In the Georgian Bay, a horse went by her and she fought back to reclaim second spot. So, all in all, it was a very good effort.

“She has been determined in all those past four races. Every time she was passed, she dug back in. She’s a small horse and when she runs in these stakes races, she’s carrying a lot more weight than the others because of the stakes she’s won. Being a small horse and carrying that extra weight is a disadvantage for her, but that said, she gives her all each race.” ​ ​ ​

Souper Diva debuted last May at Woodbine and finished sixth in a 5-furlong sprint over the main track after breaking outward at the beginning.

One race later, on June 15, this time at 4 ½ furlongs on the main track, she broke her maiden courtesy of a three-quarter length score in :52.74.

After a ninth in the 5 ½-furlong My Dear Stakes on July 12, Souper Diva launched a two-race win streak, both at the stakes level.

She posted a 4 ¼-length triumph in the Muskoka, a 6 ½-furlong main track event for 2-year-old fillies foaled in Canada, on Aug. 24. One race later, on Sept. 14, she took top prize in the Victorian Queen, also at 6 ½ panels over the Woodbine main track.

Souper Diva completed her rookie campaign with a fourth in the South Ocean Stakes and a second in the Shady Well.

“You always hope that the talent they show as a 2-year-old translates over to their 3-year-old season,” said Chircop. “It really is hard to knock her in any way. She’s a filly who has a lot of speed and can carry that speed, along with a lot of determination. Unfortunately, she hasn’t won any of the past four races, but it’s impossible to knock her for how hard she has tried.

“Whether it’s horses her age or older horses, you know what to expect from her.” ​

Bred by Northern Dawn Stables Inc., Souper Diva was a $23,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2024 CTHS Ontario Premier Yearling Sale.

Chad Sabra is the groom.

Recent works: On July 12, Souper Diva covered 4 furlongs on the main track in :47.40.

“She was a very good work horse last year and that’s carried over to this year,” said Chircop. “Her last work prepping for this was probably as good as any work she’s ever had. Typically, she works well all the time, and this one was no different. She goes out there with a winning attitude and displays the same determination she does in her races.

“I think going 6 furlongs in the Thunder Bay will be better suited for her. Anywhere between 6 and 7 furlongs, probably 6 ½ furlongs, is most ideal for her. I think getting back on the synthetic and stretching out will be to her advantage.”

Fast Facts: Lorena won the first running of the Thunder Bay Stakes on Oct. 22, 2021.

Wagering menu for the Thunder Bay: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) / 0.20 Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9) / $1 Swinger

Field for the $150,000 Thunder Bay ​

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Arianna’s Tour (S) – Romero Ramsay Maragh – Krista Cole

2 – Souper Sporty – Sahin Civaci – Mike De Paulo

3 – Pageant Queen – Rafael Hernandez – Jamie Begg

4 – Souper Diva – Jose Campos – Steven Chircop

5 – My Turn Now – Pietro Moran – Patrick Dixon

6 – Ballet Beauty – David Moran – John LeBlanc, Jr.

7 – Splash of Bourbon – Fraser Aebly – Sid Attard

8 – Artful Diamond – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Philip Hall

9 – Zabarta – Desean Bynoe – Bill Tharrenos

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Chris Lomon, Woodbine ​