Shedaresthedevil trying grass in Del Mar Juvenile Filles Turf

DEL MAR, Calif. – In the middle of last week, there were discussions between trainer Simon Callaghan and his clients who own the filly Shedaresthedevil regarding a race goal for Labor Day weekend.

The Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs on dirt was considered before Monday’s $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf at a mile was selected. From Callaghan’s perspective, the Juvenile Fillies Turf will be easier and a chance to try Shedaresthedevil on a different surface.

“This is the right time to see if she can handle it,” Callaghan said. “The sire is by More Than Ready, and that gives you a little bit of turf influence.”

The Juvenile Fillies Turf is the sixth race on a 10-race program on closing day of the summer meeting. The Los Angeles County Fair meeting at Los Alamitos begins Friday.

Shedaresthedevil, owned by Glencrest Farm and Qatar Racing, was third in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs on dirt Aug. 3 in her first start for Callaghan. By Daredevil, Shedaresthedevil finished six lengths behind the Callaghan-trained Amalfi Sunrise and was beaten a nose for second by Powerfulattraction.

“I think she could have been second if I’d had her a little tighter,” Callaghan said. “I was a bit easy on her.”

Shedaresthedevil is the only graded stakes-placed runner among the 13 fillies entered in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Leading rider Flavien Prat will ride Shedaresthedevil for the first time, replacing Drayden Van Dyke, who rides the Irish import Croughavouke.

Croughavouke was entered in Sunday’s Del Mar Juvenile Turf against males, but trainer Jeff Mullins said Saturday morning that Monday’s race is preferred. In Ireland, Croughavouke won her second start in a six-furlong maiden race on July 7 at Limerick, stalking the pace before taking the lead in the final furlong.

Croughavouke is one of four Irish-bred imports in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Yesterdayoncemore is winless after five starts, including a fifth in the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes at The Curragh in Ireland on June 28. Flamigo Bay is winless after two starts in maiden races in Ireland.

Applecross won her debut at Bath, England, but was 22nd of 25 as a longshot in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes going five furlongs at Royal Ascot in June for trainer Michael Bell. Applecross arrived in California in late August and is now trained by Richard Baltas.

By Sir Prancealot, Applecross worked a half-mile in 50 seconds on turf on Aug. 25.

“I like the way she finished,” Baltas said. “She finished strong. I think she’ll come from behind.”

Two of the runners have won maiden special weight races at a mile on turf at the current meeting – A Thousand Dreams and Warren’s Showtime.

A Thousand Dreams disputed the pace throughout a turf race for maidens on July 27, winning by 1 1/2 lengths as the 2-1 favorite. Warren’s Showtime closed from sixth in a field of eight to win as the 2-1 favorite on Aug. 21.