Litfin's preview: Flashy American tries Shuvee again
Flashy American, second best to the heavily favored Authenticity a year ago, takes another crack at the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap as the top-weighted entrant at 118 pounds.
The Shuvee is Flashy American’s only loss from three starts at Saratoga, and the main issue will be whether the stretch-running mare can fire off a quick turnaround for Ken McPeek after being taken out of her best game chasing Belle Gallantey’s slow fractions in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap 15 days ago.
The pace should be lickety-split given the presence of Swinger’s Party on the rail and Antipathy in post 3.
Swinger’s Party recently returned from a nine-month layoff to set the pace in a $75,000 stakes at Calder and figures to be tighter second time back for Marty Wolfson, whose Florida invaders merit respect at the Spa.
Antipathy has had seven weeks off since a huge performance in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps, when she chased blazing fractions and held tenaciously to be beaten in a three-way photo at 30-1.
“She surprised us that day,” said Kiaran McLaughlin. “I think the two-turn mile and an eighth will suit her … being an A.P. Indy, the further the better. She’ll probably be on or near the lead, and we’ll hope she duplicates her [Phipps] performance.”
Stanwyck has been freshened up by John Shirreffs since a third in the Apple Blossom behind pro-tem division leader Close Hatches. She won the Grade 3 Turnback The Alarm with similar spacing between starts last fall at Aqueduct.
Hot Stones stretches out after a nose win in the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses Handicap at seven furlongs.
“The one and one-eighth miles is a question mark,” said Bruce Levine.
Unlimited Budget, off the board as the 6-5 favorite in the Coaching Club American Oaks here last year, looks for her first victory since the 2013 Fair Grounds Oaks.
The long and short of it
Two-year-old maiden fillies are in the spotlight early on the card, with the 1 p.m. opener scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf and race 3 at six furlongs on the main track.
Sunday Sonnet, solidly backed for a runner-up finish going five furlongs at Belmont against the highly regarded Angela Renee, stretches out and switched to grass from the rail in race 1. She is bred to handle it, as half-sister Pianist has earned nearly $500,000 on the lawn, including two Grade 3 wins.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Miss Always Ready has some pedigree power as well. The $400,000 April purchase is a full sister to More Than Real, who won her Saratoga debut under these conditions in 2010 before going on to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Pletcher sends out the uncoupled duo of Curalina and Hopefaithjoy in race 3, which drew a field of 11 but is limited to eight starters.
Paulassilverlining bears watching from post 2. She is a homebred half-sister to Carter Handicap winner Dads Caps, and her recent workouts match up with Michelle Nevin-trained barn mate By the Moon ($14.00), a debut winner opening day with a 77 Beyer Figure.
Horse to watch
LIFE IN SHAMBLES
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Last race: July 25, 9th
Finish: 7th by 13 1/2
Beyer: 66
Just draw a line through his debacle in the Curlin Stakes, as the 3-year-old was fractious in the gate, backed out, reloaded, and eventually caught widest of all around the clubhouse turn.