Shedaresthedevil Scorches the Competition to Win Indiana Oaks

SHELBYVILLE, IN – Trainer Brad Cox’s Shedaresthedevil showed why she was bet so heavily, scorching her competition in the stretch to win Wednesday’s $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) at Indiana Grand.

Sent from post 6 under Florent Geroux as the 3/5 favorite, Shedaresthedevil initially fought for the lead alongside Miss T Too heading into the clubhouse turn before backing off and stalking that rival.

A resurgent Shedaresthedevil ranged up to once again meet Miss T Too, this time emerging from the fray in front as she neared the top of the stretch.

Widening her distance from the rest of the field, Shedaresthedevil drew off to win by 5 lengths, completing the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt event in a final time of 1:43.50.

“It ran kind of the way we thought it was going to run,” Geroux said. “I was able to sit second and she was very relaxed and was able to keep up with the pace, no problem. She was waiting a little bit down the stretch. Last time at Churchill, she was a little more focused because she’s there every day, and here, she didn’t know (her surroundings) too much. She was waiting a little bit on horses and waiting for my signal to keep going. I gave her few taps at the 1/8 pole just to keep her focused, and it was just a matter of how many lengths by which she was going to win.”

Impeccable Style improved in the final furlong to get second over Bayerness, while Fire Coral nipped a fading Miss T Too by a nose for fourth. Gibberish, Spartanka, and an eased Alandra completed the order of finish.

Lucky Betty, Tempers Rising, and Aurelia Garland were scratched.

The Indiana Oaks is part of the Road to the 2020 Kentucky Oaks prep race season. Shedaresthedevil earned 20 points for the win, with Impeccable Style receiving 8 for second, Bayerness 4 for third, and Fire Coral 2 for fourth.

Shedaresthedevil’s win was her second straight and third of the year, including the Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park in March. The 3-year-old Daredevil filly improved her record to 9-4-2-2 with $501,768 earned for co-owners Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing, and Big Aut Farms.

“She’s a real sound filly,” said Cox, who took over training duties last fall after she began her career in California. “We’ve had her since last November. She’s just been spot on ever sense. She gives you a solid work every week, whatever you’re looking for. She’s a race horse. Very, very proud of her. I think she’s only going to get better with more distance and maybe even when she gets older.”

Shedaresthedevilreturned $3.20 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.10 to show. Impeccable Style brought back $6.60 to place and $3.80 to show, while Bayerness paid $3 to show.