Shidabhuti reunites with Davis to score upset in Distaff

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Returning from a nine-month layoff against graded stakes competition may seem like a daunting task to some. But it certainly wasn’t an issue for Shidabhuti, not when she’s got trainer Chad Brown in her corner and her favorite rider, Dylan Davis, on her back.

Making her first start since finishing far back in the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks on July 29, Shidabhuti rallied from off the pace to a half-length victory over Ain’t Broke in Saturday’s $175,000, Grade 3 Distaff Stakes, winning for the third time in as many starts with Davis aboard. Fingal’s Cave finished third.

Shidabhuti, who is owned by Peter Brant, opened her career with three consecutive victories, the final two of those wins while ridden by Davis, including the Busher Invitational by two lengths here 13 months earlier. Shidabhuti and Davis parted ways after that, the daughter of Practical Joke finishing third in the Grade 3 Gazelle and second as the even money favorite in Monmouth Park’s Boiling Springs, before having her season come to a pre-mature end following her poor effort in the Monmouth Oaks.

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Shidabhuti broke alertly before being reserved about three lengths off the early pace set by the 6-5 favorite Hot Fudge and prompted by Fingal’s Cave, with Davis angling his filly over to the rail to what appeared to be the better footing in the run down the backstretch. Shidabhuti was urged along and did not seem to be responding as the leaders approached the quarter pole. She was then angled out to the middle of the track upon settling into the stretch, at which point she found her best stride, ultimately running down Ain’t Broke in the final yards.

Ain’t Broke came into the Grade 3 Distaff having won four of her last five starts for trainer Linda Rice. She steadied back to last shortly after the start, made a quick move to join for command three wide midway on the turn. She got her head in front before six furlongs but could not fend off the winner’s final surge. It was another 2 3/4 lengths farther back to Fingal’s Cave, who was making just her second start since October of 2022. Apple Picker and the tiring Hot Fudge rounded out the complete order of finish.

Despite her connections, apparently the bettors were not as confident in Shidabhuti off the layoff as they should have been, allowing her to go postward at 8-1 and return $19.00 for her first graded stakes win. Final time for the seven furlongs was 1:23.86 seconds over a fast track. Shidabhuti earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She ran great,” said Davis. “They definitely got her ready today. I know the rail has been good, I wanted to save as much ground possible. I saw those two horses going at it so I tucked in. I could have kept her in the three wide spot and gave her clear air but opted to come inside and she switched off. I had an early presser there into the turn, which was good because it kind of softened the leaders up. I was able to take her outside and she had a great kick turning for home.”

Davis said it was a big edge coming into the Distaff having already ridden Shidabhuti a couple of times earlier in her career.

“It means a lot to get a few rides to get to know them,” said Davis. “She’s kind of an into the bridle horse who responds well. Not too much sticking. As long as you get her into stride and a comfortable rhythm, you know she’s going to come with a good run.”

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