Golden Award Wows in Shuvee Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY –  Golden Award really shone in Saturday’s $200,000 Shuvee Stakes (G3) at Saratoga. This was the fourth career win and first graded stakes win for the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro

Golden Award shot out of the gate but She’s a Julie was a step faster along the rail and made it out in front to be the early leader. Forever Liesl was third around the first turn followed by Pink Sands and the even money-favorite Wow Cat brought up the rear. Along the backstretch, Golden Award drew even with She’s a Julie and the pair continued on setting fractions of :25.24 and :50.24. Around the far turn, Wow Cat made her move and pulled even with the other two by the top of the stretch. She’s a Julie faded a few steps giving way to Wow Cat and Golden Award. Sensing the threat, Golden Award shot clear to have sole possession of the lead and eventually went on to win easily by 2 1/4 lengths. Wow Cat continued on well to finish second followed by She’s a Julie and Pink Sands.

This was the first return to the track for the even-money favorite Wow Cat who finished second in the Breeder’s Cup Distaff (G1) last time out.

“The trip set up nicely. She broke alertly and put herself in a good position,” said winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione. “She was kind of keen a little bit down the backside but we were going awfully slow, so I just let her out a little bit and put my hands down and she just kept reaching and reaching. When I asked her coming into the stretch, she really exploded and finished the job.”

Golden Award, a half-sister to 2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, is trained by Bill Mott and owned by Summer Wind Equine. This was her first race following her impressive performance in the Allaire DuPont Distaff (G3) at Pimlico in May where she was denied the win by a nose.

Golden Award returned $8.50 to win, $3.60 to place, and $2.30 to show. Wow Cat brought back $2.90 to place and $2.10 to show, while She’s a Julie paid $2.10 to show.