Shedaresthedevil Splits Her Way to the Front in Honeybee

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing, and Big Aut Farms’ Shedaresthedevil split foes in the stretch like an old pro en route to winning Saturday’s $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

Breaking from post 2 under Joe Talamo as the 5/2 second choice on the tote, Shedaresthedevil was sandwiched between foes heading into the clubhouse turn while Ring Leader set the pace. Under David Cohen, Ring Leader posted opening fractions of :23.73, :47.89, and 1:12.83 while Shedaresthedevil remained patiently handled along the rail in mid-pack.

Ranging up as the field hit the top of the far turn, Shedaresthedevil drifted slightly off of the rail as Talamo waited for the right opening. Finding an opening in mid-stretch between Ring Leader and Motu, Talamo squeezed Shedaresthedevil through and kept her to a drive.

Taking a slim lead at the 1/16 pole, Shedaresthedevil fended off an outside bid from the 2/1 favorite Alta’s Award before crossing victoriously by 3/4 of a length. The Brad Cox trainee completed the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track in a final time of 1:44.38.

“I was loaded the whole way around there,” said Talamo, winner of the card’s other stakes – the Hot Springs – one race prior. “It was just a matter of trying to pick a scene, and boy, when it opened up, she absolutely exploded through there. I was very impressed with her gallop in the mornings and I think she’s going to want every bit of the mile and 1/8 or even more. Hats off to Brad and Jorge (his assistant), they’ve done a great job with this filly and I don’t think she’s even peaked yet. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of her yet.”

Alta’s Award was 3 lengths clear of Motu for second, while Queen Bridget took fourth by a length over a fading Ring Leader. Completing the order of finish came Raggedy Annie, Fiftyshays Ofgreen, and Turtle Trax.

Back in Charge was scratched.

The Honeybee is part of the Road to the 2020 Kentucky Oaks prep race season. Shedaresthedevil earned 50 points for the win, with Alta’s Award receiving 20 for second, Motu 10 for third, and Queen Bridget 5 for fourth.

Shedaresthedevil’s win was her first since breaking her maiden on debut at Churchill Downs on June 13 and improved her overall record to 6-2-2-1. The 3-year-old daughter of Daredevil, purchased by her current connections for $280,000 last November, has now earned $297,648 in her lifetime.

“Autry and I, we were looking at several horses during the (Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale),” said co-owner Staton Flurry. “We got this one. He owned a share of Daredevil, the stallion. He said, ‘Man, I think this would be fun to own one of his best horses.'”

Shedaresthedevil returned $7.80 to win, $3.80 to place, and $2.60 to show. Alta’s Award brought back $3.60 to place and $2.60 to show, while Motu paid $2.40 to show.