8/30/2020

  6  SAR     The Shuvee (GIII) 

$125.000     4yo&Up F&M      1 1/8m  Dirt          123lbs  +penalties

We have a field of eleven matrons set to go the classic mile and an eighth here in up-state New York, and we look at the field for The Shuvee (GIII), to be run Sunday at The Spa.  Man oh man this is a tough one on the handicapping as a bunch of these have been struggling mightily against graded horses… but there is a ton of talent here and it should be a tight one.  I’m just going to box the Orange Beach / Nude Beach exacta because it just seems fitting in this day and time.  Good luck to all of these!

Here’s The Field –

Her only seasonal win came against Alw horses and she’s had less than desirable results in stakes races this season.  Last year, she banked $400.000+ so you know she was in tough.  She was fifth in the DDD (GIII) at KEE, was given a break but was fourth of five vs. Alw horses over this track and at today’s distance last out.  I’ll have to look at some others.   

Shows a pair of OptAlw wins this year and was second vs. Alw horses over this track and at today’s distance in her most recent start.  Fifth and Tenth in her recent black-type races, so she’s going to have to build on that last race to be a factor here.

On the board in three of five seasonal starts but has been taking on slightly softer that what she’s looking at today.  Still, a nice second and third in her last two vs. overnight stakes company, so this may be a place for her to step up and make a name for herself. 

Fourth at CD last out in the Fleur De Lis Hcp (GII) where she was closing late to only be a length behind the winner.  A win and a second prior to that vs. Alw types, so she tries to build on that last out effort. 

Three wins from her last four starts but her only blemish was her only graded effort where she was third in the Ruffian Hcp (GII) at BEL.  That was a sold effort and she’s been lightly raced so it looks like the big stable is aiming her for a big fall. 

She’s won two of six this year but the four were all graded races… so we have a bit of a repetitive scenario here.  She won an OptAlw at SA then took the Top Flight at AQU back in Apr.  She has been close in a few of those graded races so maybe she improves here.  

Tough nocking mare that has six wins from nineteen starts, and she certainly knows how to compete in these races.  Won the Houston Ladies Classic (GIII) to kick off the year and has been second twice, third and fourth in her next four starts.  She needs to get back on track and this could be the spot. 

Started the year with two wins including the Azeri (GII) but she threw two bad races in the Apple Blossom (GI) and the Phipps (GI).  Was second last out on a muddy MTH strip, but she certainly has ability. 

Another that has struggled with graded horses this season, although she was third in the Fleur De Lis Hcp (GII) prior to that last out seventh in the Personal Ensign (GI).  Can she turn it back around here today?

Was having a very solid season but tired badly last out to be eighth in the Hirsch (GI) at DMR.  She was second in a pair of graded races prior to that so maybe this is a spot for her to run big and get the win.  

**Early Scratch**

Have I mentioned struggling against graded horses… here we go again.  Was sixth in that Fleur De Lis Hcp (GII) race but won the Summer Colony here at The Spa last out.  Can she keep that form?

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES