Shedaresthedevil gains BC Distaff berth with Clement Hirsch win

DEL MAR, Calif. - Shedaresthedevil was in the right place throughout Sunday’s Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar.

Sent off favored against four rivals, Shedaresthedevil ($4.60) stalked pacesetter Venetian Harbor before taking the lead in early stretch.

For winning rider Florent Geroux, the $300,000 Clement Hirsch was a lucrative practice run for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff here Nov. 6. Sharedaresthedevil earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Distaff with her win Sunday.

Geroux is hopeful Shedaresthedevil can be in the right place throughout the BC Distaff.

“It was a good test to be here on this track,” Geroux said. “She’s right up there with the good ones.”

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Shedaresthedevil won her third stakes of 2021 in the Hirsch, pulling clear by 3 1/4 lengths. She finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.38 on a track Geroux described as deep. Shedaresthedevil earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

Geroux had Shedaresthedevil in second behind 2-1 Venetian Harbor through a modest pace of 23.30 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.21 for a half-mile. Venetian Harbor led to the turn before Shedaresthedevil took control.

“Everything went as planned,” Geroux said. “I thought Venetian Harbor would be the quickest filly in the field.

“There was no reason to go in a speed duel with her.”

Venetian Harbor, the winner of three Grade 2 stakes in her 10-race career, held second, finishing 3 1/4 lengths in front of 27-1 Paige Anne.

The Hirsch equaled the longest race in Venetian Harbor’s career.

“I think the distance was a limitation,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “She relaxed perfectly and she was ridden perfectly.

“I think the track is deep and tiring. I’m proud of the horse. She ran a good race.”

Paige Anne had her Grade 1 debut in the Hirsch and finished 7 1/2 lengths in front of 3-2 As Time Goes By, the winner of two Grade 2 stakes at Santa Anita in April and May.

On Sunday, As Time Goes By stumbled at the start and was last into the first turn, farther back than her expected position near the front.

“It’s hard to come from behind on this track,” jockey Mike Smith said. “I was supposed to be up there. She fell coming out of the gate.”

Cover Vesion finished last of five. Clockstrikestwelve and Warren’s Showtime were scratched early Sunday.

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Shedaresthedevil, a 4-year-old filly by Daredevil, has won 8 of 15 starts for owners Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stables and Autry Lowry Jr., and trainer Brad Cox. The $180,000 winner’s share of the Hirsch improved Shedaresthedevil’s earnings to $2,047,318.

Earlier this year, Shedaresthedevil won the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park in April and the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs before finishing third to Letruska in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5.

Last September, Shedaresthdevil won the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.