Spinster Preview: Shedaresthedevil Challenges Elders

LEXINGTON, KY – The Kentucky Oaks (G1) champion Shedaresthedevil challenges five elders all aiming for a berth to the World Championships in Sunday’s $400,0000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.

The winner of the Spinster will receive an automatic position in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Longines Distaff (G1) this fall at Keeneland. Pre-entry and entry fees will be paid and a nominator award of $10,000 will be given to the nominating person. Also, all Breeders’ Cup starters based outside of the state of Kentucky will receive a travel allowance of $10,000 if based in North America and $40,000 if based Internationally.

The Spinster is a 1 1/8-mile dirt route restricted to fillies and mares ages 3 and up. Last year’s victor Blue Prize won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in her next start.

Let’s look at the full field:

#1 Saracosa – She’s found success just twice in her 19-race career, including the Bob Fortus Memorial Stakes last December at Fair Grounds, but the consistent Cipriano Contreras trainee has finished second or third 12 times. She’ll likely come running late under jockey Martin Garcia and should at the very least contend for the minor awards at a price.

#2 Ollie’s Candy – Trainer John Sadler sends her away from her home base in California still looking for her first victory of the year, though she’s come incredibly close in her last 3 starts, missing by a head, a neck, and a 1/2-length. She won the 2019 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar to earn her shot in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where she finished fourth.

#3 Shedaresthedevil – She enters her first test against older horses riding a 3-race win streak, including the Indiana Oaks (G3) and the Kentucky Oaks last time out. Each of those victories came with her saddle occupied by Florent Geroux, who has a remarkable 25% strike rate on his past 421 mounts for red-hot trainer Brad Cox.

#4 Our Super Freak – She’s hit the board in 16 of her 20 career starts while finding victory 4 times, including her first stakes in last September’s Shine Again at Laurel Park while facing non-winners at that level. Trainer Cherie DeVaux is still seeking her first graded score, but she’s been knocking on the door several times in just her second full year with her own barn.

#5 Valiance – The versatile Tapit filly has stakes wins on both turf (last June’s Open Mind) and dirt (August’s Eatontown last time out), the latter a sloppy off-turf edition of that event. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won this event 3 times (in 2015, 2012, and 2007) and will leg up aggressive rider Luis Saez, who’s yet to win a Breeders’ Cup event in his relatively young career.

#6 Lady Kate – She won 2 straight during the summer (including the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park) to earn her shot in the La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, where she finished a good-looking second behind the de facto division leader Monomoy Girl. Her last 3 starts came while setting the pace and trying to hold on late, so expect to see more of that here.

WATCH THE LATEST EPISODE OF “DR. MIRANDA PREVIEWS” FOR
DR. MIRANDA’S BEST BETS IN THIS RACE!

The Spinster serves as race 9 and is one of 3 stakes on the Sunday card at Keeneland, including the Indian Summer and the Bourbon (G2). A total of 11 qualifying Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events will be held Friday through Sunday between Keeneland, Belmont Park, and Pimlico.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is presented by America’s Best Racing.